Frost In May

By Madison Julius Cawein

Ballad
    March set heel upon the flowers,     Trod and trampled them for hours:     But when April's bugles rang,     Up their starry legions sprang,     Radiant in the sun-shot showers.     April went her frolic ways,     Arm in arm with happy days:     Then from hills that rim the west,     Bare of head and bare of breast,     May, the maiden, showed her face.     Then, it seemed, again returned     March, the iron-heeled, who turned     From his northward path and caught     May about the waist, who fought     And his fierce advances spurned.     What her strength and her disdain     To the madness in his brain!     He must kiss her though he kill;     Then, when he had had his will,     Go his roaring way again.     Icy grew her finger-tips,     And the wild-rose of her lips     Paled with frost: then loud he laughed,     Left her, like a moonbeam-shaft,     Shattered, where the forest drips....     Mourn for her, O honey-bees!     Mourn, O buds upon the trees!     Birds and blossoms, mourn for May!     Mourn for her, then come away!     Leave her where her flowers freeze.     Leave her. Nothing more may save.     Leave her in her wildwood grave.     Nothing now will waken her,     Loved and lost, and lovelier     For the kiss that wild March gave.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem chronicles the cyclical journey of seasons, personifying them into characters and weaving an intricate tale of conflict, love, and loss. It is a vivid exploration of nature and its changes, symbolizing the delicate yet unyielding strength of life in face of adversity.

The poem starts with March, personified as a destructive force, trampling on the flowers. This imagery sets a tone of harshness and survival, emphasizing nature's resilience as the "starry legions" of flowers spring back up in April. The trepidation of March then gives way to the mirth of April and the gentle arrival of May, presenting a transition of tones from hardship to joy. The structure of the poem, mostly consisting of quatrains, adds a rhythmic harmony that complements the poem's progression and themes.

The personification intensifies when March returns and engages in a struggle with May, culminating in a forced kiss that leads to May's demise. This part of the poem introduces a dark undertone of conflict and violation, highlighted by the chilling imagery of May’s "icy" finger-tips and "paled" lips. The poem concludes with a mournful tone, grieving for May yet appreciating her beauty, further enhanced by her tragic end.

Throughout the poem, the author effortlessly uses metaphors, personification, and vivid imagery to bring the seasons to life, evoking a wide range of emotions. The struggle of May and March can be seen as a metaphor for life's constant battles and the inevitability of change, while the mourning of nature for May emphasizes the interconnectivity of all life. The poem is a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of time, the fleeting beauty of moments, and the resilience of life.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.