Revisited

By Madison Julius Cawein

Ballad
It was beneath a waning moon when all the woods were sear, And winds made eddies of the leaves that whispered far and near, I met her on the old mill-bridge we parted at last year. At first I deemed it but a mist that faltered in that place, An autumn mist beneath the trees that sentineled the race; Until I neared and in the moon beheld her face to face. The waver of the summer-heat upon the drouth-dry leas; The shimmer of the thistle-drift a down the silences; The gliding of the fairy-fire between the swamp and trees; They qualified her presence as a sorrow may a dream The vague suggestion of a self; the glimmer of a gleam; The actual unreal of the things that only seem. Where once she came with welcome and glad eyes all loving-wise, She passed and gave no greeting that my heart might recognize, With far-set face unseeing and sad unremembering eyes. It was beneath a waning moon when woods were bleak and sear, And winds made whispers of the leaves that eddied far and near, I met her ghost upon the bridge we parted at last year.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This evocative poem exudes a poignant, melancholic tone, effectively capturing the haunting feeling of lost love and the passage of time. The setting, presented under a "waning moon" and within "woods were bleak and sear", serves as a somber backdrop to the poet's encounter with a spectral representation of a past lover. The repetition of these atmospheric descriptions at the beginning and end of the poem reinforces this theme and grants the poem a cyclical structure, suggesting the relentless, unending nature of the poet's longing and regret.

The poet employs vivid imagery and simile, comparing the ghostly figure to "a mist", "the waver of the summer-heat", and "the shimmer of the thistle-drift" to convey her ethereal and elusive qualities. This aids in the creation of a sense of surrealism and the uncanny—her appearance is "the actual unreal of the things that only seem." The use of language here is notable for its ability to evoke a sense of disorientation and confusion, mirroring the speaker's emotional state. The final lines, with the ghost passing "with far-set face unseeing and sad unremembering eyes," are particularly heartbreaking, embodying the pain of unrequited or forgotten love. The poem, therefore, is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the haunting power of memory, weaving a deeply touching narrative of a love that used to be.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.