Author: Madison Julius Cawein
The road leads up a hill through many a brake, Blueberry and barberry, bay and sassafras, By an abandoned quarry, where, like glass, A round pool lies; an isolated lake, A mirror for what presences, that make Their wildwood toilets here! The road is grass Gray-scarred with stone: great bowlders, as we pass, Slope burly shoulders towards us. Cedars shake Wild balsam from their tresses; there and here Clasping a glimpse of ocean and of shore In arms of swaying green. Below, at last, Beside the sea, with derrick and with pier, By heaps of granite, noise of drill and bore, A Cape Ann town, towering with many a mast.
Type of Poem: Sonnet
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem presents a vividly detailed, naturalistic journey, utilizing intricate imagery to guide the reader from a secluded, wild landscape to a bustling seaside town. The dominant theme appears to be man's interaction with nature, as evidenced by the transition from untouched wilderness to a town marked by signs of human industry.
The poem's structure follows a modified sonnet form, and its richly descriptive language paints a tactile, sensory experience. The use of alliteration, as in "Blueberry and barberry, bay and sassafras," enhances the sensory depth, creating a musical effect that echoes the poem's natural setting. The personification of the landscape, such as the "burly shoulders" of boulders and the cedars shaking "wild balsam from their tresses," suggests a sense of unity and interaction between humanity and the environment.
Despite its tranquil beginning, the poem's tone subtly shifts as civilization encroaches on the natural world. The final lines introduce a contrast between the serene natural setting and the harsh sounds of industry, symbolized by the "noise of drill and bore". The poet thus invites us to reflect on the impact of human activity on the natural world, and perhaps, to contemplate the potential loss of the quiet, wild beauty described in the first half of the poem.
The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.
Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:
The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.