Frost

By Madison Julius Cawein

Lyric Poem
    Magician he, who, autumn nights,     Down from the starry heavens whirls;     A harlequin in spangled tights,     Whose wand's touch carpets earth with pearls.     Through him each pane presents a scene,     A Lilliputian landscape, where     The world is white instead of green,     And trees and houses hang in air.     Where Elfins gambol and delight,     And haunt the jewelled bells of flowers;     Where upside-down we see the night     With many moons and starry showers.     And surely in his wand or hand     Is Midas magic, for, behold,     Some morn we wake and find the land,     Both field and forest, turned to gold.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This evocative poem employs a playful, imaginative tone to animate the transition from autumn to winter. The central metaphor casts the seasonal shift as a magician's act, an approach that infuses the poem with a sense of enchantment and whimsy. The imagery of the "harlequin in spangled tights" and his "wand's touch" that "carpets earth with pearls" powerfully encapsulates the transformation of the landscape as frost descends, turning the world into a magical, otherworldly spectacle.

The poem's structure of four quatrains, each with a consistent rhyme scheme, reinforces a sense of order and rhythm that mirrors the predictable, yet awe-inspiring, flow of the seasons. Notably, the poet employs inversion, or a reversal of the natural order of things, to underscore the magical transformation — trees and houses hang in air, the night is filled with multiple moons, and the landscape is turned upside-down. The final stanza, where the land is turned to gold, suggests the dawning of winter's first sunlight on a frosty landscape, a glittering spectacle that caps the magician's spell. This poem, thus, beautifully captures the silent, often overlooked magic of nature's transitions, reminding us to appreciate the ephemeral beauty in each season's passing.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.