Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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    Where rise the brakes of bramble there,
    Wrapped with the trailing rose;
    Through cane where waters ramble, there
    Where deep the sword-grass grows,
    Who knows?
    Perhaps, unseen of eyes of man,
    Hides Pan.

    Perhaps the creek, whose pebbles make
    A foothold for the mint,
    May bear, where soft its trebles make
    Confession, some vague hint,
    (The print,
    Goat-hoofed, of one who lightly ran,)
    Of Pan.

    Where, in the hollow of the hills
    Ferns deepen to the knees,
    What sounds are those above the hills,
    And now among the trees?
    No breeze!
    The syrinx, haply, none may scan,
    Of Pan.

    In woods where waters break upon
    The hush like some soft word;
    Where sun-shot shadows shake upon
    The moss, who has not heard
    No bird!
    The flute, as breezy as a fan,
    Of Pan?

    Far in, where mosses lay for us
    Still carpets, cool and plush;
    Where bloom and branch and ray for us.
    Sleep, waking with a rush
    The hush
    But sounds the satyr hoof a span
    Of Pan.

    O woods, whose thrushes sing to us,
    Whose brooks dance sparkling heels;
    Whose wild aromas cling to us,
    While here our wonder kneels,
    Who steals
    Upon us, brown as bark with tan,
    But Pan?

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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 is a rich evocation of nature, drawing heavily on the pastoral tradition and invoking the Greek god of the wild, Pan. The poem's central theme is the intertwining of the natural world and the divine, suggesting an unseen presence in the wilderness that is both mysterious and enticing. Through the repeated refrain "Who knows?... Hides Pan," the poet crafts a sense of suspense and curiosity, inviting readers to consider the magic that may exist beyond our sight.

The poem's structure is consistent, adhering to a clear rhyme scheme that contributes to the rhythmic quality of the verse, enhancing the musicality inherent in the references to Pan's flute. The poet uses immersive imagery and sensory language to paint vivid pictures of the wild landscape, and the use of personification brings the scenery to life, making trees, brooks, and even the breeze active participants in the scene. This is not a passive landscape; it is one that 'sings', 'dances' and 'steals' upon us. Through this, the poet not only creates a vibrant and dynamic depiction of nature but also deepens the sense of a divine, animate force inhabiting the natural world. The tone is one of reverence and wonder, underscoring the poem's thematic exploration of the sacred within the natural world.