Mendicants

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sonnet
    Bleak, in dark rags of clouds, the day begins,     That passed so splendidly but yesterday,     Wrapped in magnificence of gold and gray,     And poppy and rose. Now, burdened as with sins,     Their wildness clad in fogs, like coats of skins,     Tattered and streaked with rain; gaunt, clogged with clay,     The mendicant Hours take their somber way     Westward o'er Earth, to which no sunray wins.     Their splashing sandals ooze; their foosteps drip,     Puddle and brim with moisture; their sad hair     Is tagged with haggard drops, that with their eyes'     Slow streams are blent; each sullen fingertip     Rivers; while round them, in the grief-drenched air     Wearies the wind of their perpetual sighs.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem vividly explores the theme of transience, specifically the fleeting nature of beauty, through the metaphor of a day's transition from splendor to gloom. The poet employs a somber tone, coupled with vivid imagery and personification, to capture the essence of this transition. The day, described initially in grand terms, "Wrapped in magnificence of gold and gray," is quickly overshadowed by a bleak atmosphere, personified as "mendicant Hours" burdened by sins and clothed in rags of fog and rain.

The structure of the poem is a sonnet, traditionally a form well-suited to the expression of deep emotional states. Here, it is used to create a sense of dramatic contrast between the initial splendid day and the subsequent gloom. The poet's use of vivid and intense language, such as "gaunt," "clogged with clay," and "sullen," further underscores the intensity of the mood shift. The final lines with their vivid description of the hours' "grief-drenched air" and "perpetual sighs" provide a powerful ending, reinforcing the theme of transience and the inevitable passage from joy to sorrow.

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.