One Who Died Young

By Madison Julius Cawein

Elegy
    With her 't is well now. She died young,     With all her hope and faith unmarred,     Nor lived to see the pearls, Love strung,     Without regard,     Cast, lost among     The disillusions that make life so hard.     Time on her body now can lay     No soiling hand and spoil what's fair:     He shall not turn the gold hair gray,     Nor bring crabbed Care,     Day after day,     To line the white brow with the heart's despair.     Far better thus. Yea, even so,     To die before faith turns to dust,     Before the heart has learned to know,     As learn it must,     Of love the woe,     And of all human life the deep disgust.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Elegys
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem, through its somber and introspective tone, explores themes of youth, mortality, disillusionment, and the fleeting nature of love and beauty. The poet uses death as a metaphor for preservation, suggesting that dying young enables one to avoid the harsh realities of life and maintain their innocence and beauty. This perspective is conveyed through the use of vivid imagery, such as "pearls, Love strung", signifying the preciousness and fragility of love, and "soiling hand" of Time, symbolizing the inevitable decay brought about by age.

The poem employs a consistent rhyme scheme and a straightforward structure, which contributes to its melancholic rhythm and reinforces the central themes. Literary devices such as personification (Time and Love) and vivid metaphors (like "line the white brow with the heart's despair") effectively convey the emotional depth of the poem. There's a clear juxtaposition between the idealistic notions of love and youth and the harsh realities of time and disillusionment. This dichotomy, expressed eloquently through the poem’s language and structure, invites the reader to reflect on the transience of life and the inevitability of change.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.