Author: Madison Julius Cawein
Was it the strain of the waltz that, repeating "Love," so bewitched me? or only the gleam There of the lustres, that set my heart beating, Feeling your presence as one feels a dream? For, on a sudden, the woman of fashion, Soft at my side in her diamonds and lace, Vanished, and pale with reproach or with passion, You, my dead sweetheart, smiled up in my face. Music, the nebulous lights, and the sifting Fragrance of women made amorous the air; Born of these three and my thoughts you came drifting, Clad in dim muslin, a rose in your hair. There in the waltz, that followed the lancers, Hard to my breast did I crush you and hold; Far through the stir and the throng of the dancers Onward I bore you as often of old. Pale were your looks; and the rose in your tresses Paler of hue than the dreams we have lost;-- "Who," then I said, "is it sees or who guesses, Here in the hall, that I dance with a ghost?" Gone! And the dance and the music are ended. Gone! And the rapture dies out of the skies. And, on my arm, in her elegance splendid, The woman of fashion smiles up in my eyes. Had I forgotten? and did you remember?-- You, who are dead, whom I cannot forget; You, for whose sake all my heart is an ember Covered with ashes of dreams and regret.
Type of Poem: Lyric Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem explores themes of love, loss, memory, and the contrast between reality and the ethereal. The narrative is centered on the speaker's vivid encounter with the apparition of a lost beloved amidst a grand ballroom dance, painting a poignant picture of past love haunting the present. The tone is melancholic and nostalgic, as the speaker yearns for a love that is no more.
The poem's structure, with the use of rhymed quatrains, provides a rhythmic flow that mirrors the waltz setting, creating a dance between the lines themselves. The poet employs vivid imagery and metaphoric language, such as "the woman of fashion" symbolizing the speaker's present reality and the "dead sweetheart" representing a cherished past. The repeated use of the word "Love" and the image of the "rose", traditional symbols of romance, enhance the theme of lost love. The contrast between the "pale" ghost and the vibrant ballroom setting further underscores the tension between the past and the present. The final lines reveal a poignant truth — the speaker is haunted by regret and the ashes of dreams, a clear indication of the lingering pain of lost love. Despite the glamour and allure of the present, the past continues to cast a long shadow over the speaker's heart.
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:
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.