Home Again

By Madison Julius Cawein

Narrative Poem
    Far down the lane     A window pane     Gleams 'mid the trees through night and rain.     The weeds are dense     Through which a fence     Of pickets rambles, none sees whence,     Before a porch, all indistinct of line,     O'er-grown and matted with wistaria-vine.     No thing is heard,     No beast or bird,     Only the rain by which are stirred     The draining leaves,     And trickling eaves     Of crib and barn one scarce perceives;     And garden-beds where old-time flow'rs hang wet     The phlox, the candytuft, and mignonette.     The hour is late     At any rate     She has not heard him at the gate:     Upon the roof     The rain was proof     Against his horse's galloping hoof:     And when the old gate with its weight and chain     Creaked, she imagined 't was the wind and rain.     Along he steals     With cautious heels,     And by the lamplit window kneels:     And there she sits,     And rocks and knits     Within the shadowy light that flits     On face and hair, so sweetly sad and gray,     Dreaming of him she thinks is far away.     Upon his cheeks     Is it the streaks     Of rain, as now the old porch creaks     Beneath his stride?     Then, warm and wide,     The door flings and she's at his side     "Mother!" and he, back from the war, her boy,     Kisses her face all streaming wet with joy.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem beautifully explores themes of longing, reunion, and the power of maternal love, set against the backdrop of a war. The poet uses a rich and evocative natural setting to convey the emotional depth of the narrative, with the persistent rain symbolizing both the passage of time and the pervasive sense of melancholy. The unending rain also serves as a metaphor for the sadness and uncertainty of waiting for a loved one's return from war.

The poem is structured as a narrative, guiding the reader through a journey of anticipation, revelation, and joyous reunion. The quiet, almost suspenseful tone in the beginning gives way to a poignant and heartfelt climax. The rhymed couplets and consistent meter lend a rhythmic, soothing quality to the poem, providing a stark contrast to the tension of the narrative itself.

The poet's use of imagery is striking, particularly in the depiction of the mother knitting in the lamplight, an activity which symbolizes patience, hope, and perseverance. The final lines of the poem, where the son returns from war and the mother's face is "streaming wet with joy," create a powerful and moving image. This twist of joy emerging from a setting initially characterized by melancholy underscores the theme of love and resilience in the face of adversity. The poem leaves the reader with a profound sense of relief and warmth, reflecting the transformative power of love and reunion.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.