Pearls

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sonnet
    Baroque, but beautiful, between the lunes,     The valves of nacre of a mussel-shell,     Behold, a pearl! shaped like the burnished bell     Of some strange blossom that long afternoons     Of summer coax to open: all the moon's     Chaste lustre in it; hues that only dwell     With purity It takes me, like a spell,     Back to a day when, whistling truant tunes,     A barefoot boy I waded 'mid the rocks,     Searching for shells deep in the creek's slow swirl,     Unconscious of the pearls that 'round me lay:     While, 'mid wild-roses, all her tomboy locks     Blond-blowing, stood, unnoticed then, a girl,     My sweetheart once, the pearl I flung away.

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

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Sonnets
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem beautifully combines elements of nature, memory, and poignant regret. The theme primarily revolves around lost love and the innocence of childhood, using the symbol of a pearl as a metaphor for a cherished relationship that was not appreciated until it was lost.

The poem adopts a reflective and nostalgic tone, painting a vivid picture of the past through rich, evocative language. The poet's use of words such as "baroque," "burnished," and "luster" creates a sense of opulence and beauty, emphasizing the value of the lost "pearl."

The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhyme scheme, creates a rhythmic, flowing narrative, mirroring the dreamlike remembrance of the past. The shift from the detailed description of the pearl to the personal memory in the second half of the poem provides a poignant contrast between the tangible and the ephemeral.

Metaphors and imagery play a significant role in this poem. The pearl, a product of nature's slow and meticulous process, symbolizes a relationship that was unnoticed in its formation but deeply missed once gone. The description of summer afternoons, wild-roses, and a blond girl further contribute to the idyllic yet melancholic imagery of lost youth and love.

In conclusion, the poem is a splendid blend of rich imagery, heartfelt emotion, and elegant structure, resonating with themes of loss, nostalgia, and the fleeting nature of time.

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.