Light And Wind

By Madison Julius Cawein

    Where, through the myriad leaves of forest trees,     The daylight falls, beryl and chrysoprase,     The glamour and the glimmer of its rays     Seem visible music, tangible melodies:     Light that is music; music that one sees -     Wagnerian music - where forever sways     The spirit of romance, and gods and fays     Take form, clad on with dreams and mysteries.     And now the wind's transmuting necromance     Touches the light and makes it fall and rise,     Vocal, a harp of multitudinous waves     That speaks as ocean speaks - an utterance     Of far-off whispers, mermaid-murmuring sighs -     Pelagian, vast, deep down in coral caves.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a lush exploration of the interplay between light, nature, and music, with an undercurrent of romantic and mythical elements. The language is rich and evocative, painting a vivid, multisensory image that blurs the lines between sight and sound. The first half of the poem likens light filtering through a forest to a "visible music" or "tangible melodies," an example of synesthesia that suggests a deep, almost mystical connection with the natural world. This idea is further amplified by references to "Wagnerian music" and the manifestation of "gods and fays," which lend a sense of grandeur and enchantment.

The poem's tone shifts slightly in the second half, as the wind's "transmuting necromance" introduces a more dynamic, elemental aspect. The light now responds to the wind and the environment, becoming a "harp of multitudinous waves" and signaling a move from the forest to the ocean. The concluding lines adopt a softer, more introspective note, with "far-off whispers" and "mermaid-murmuring sighs" suggesting a vast, hidden world beneath the surface. The structure of the poem, with its rhymed quatrains, helps to maintain a steady, rhythmic flow, echoing the musical themes that pervade the piece. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the power of nature and imagination, and their ability to create a symphony of sensations that transcend the ordinary.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.


Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.