Laus Deo

By Madison Julius Cawein

Lyric Poem
    In her vast church of glimmering blue,     Gray-stoled from feet to chin,     Her dark locks beaded with the dew,     The nun-like dawn comes in:     At once the hills put on their spencers     Of purple, swinging streaming censers     Of mist before the God of Day     Who goes with pomp his way.     With sapphire draperies of light     Is hung the sombre pines;     Filling each valley, every height     With sacerdotal lines     Shrines, where, like priests with worship vestured,     The forests bow and, heavenly gestured,     Lift high the chalice of the sun,     Intoning, "Night is done!"

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem is a vivid celebration of the dawn, employing rich religious imagery and language to frame the arrival of day as a spiritual event. The theme revolves around the reverence for nature, treating the break of day as a sacred ceremony. The tone is reverent and awestruck, reflecting the majesty of the natural world.

The poem is structured in two stanzas, each filled with elaborate descriptions that personify the elements of nature. The first stanza introduces the dawn as a nun-like figure, gray-stoled and glimmering blue, emphasizing the solemnity and purity of the morning. The second stanza continues this religious imagery, depicting the forests as priests lifting the sun like a chalice, suggesting the cyclical nature of day and night as a sacred ritual.

The use of personification and vivid imagery stand out as key literary devices in the poem. The dawn, hills, and forests are all personified, enhancing the spiritual undertones of the poem. The use of color - "glimmering blue", "sombre pines", and "sapphire draperies" - creates a vibrant visual landscape that mirrors the majesty of a cathedral.

The poem encourages us to view the natural world with a sense of awe and reverence, reminding us of the extraordinary beauty that exists in ordinary moments, like the break of day. It's a testament to the power of poetry to elevate and transform our perception of the world.

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.