Rose And Leaf

By Madison Julius Cawein

Lyric Poem
    All the roses now are gone,     All their glories shed:     Here's a rose that grows not wan,     Rose of love to wear upon     Your fair breast instead.     Everywhere sere leaves are seen     Golden, red and grey:     Here's a leaf for ever green,     Leaf of truth to hold between     Your white hands alway.     Here's my leaf and here's my rose.     Take them. They are yours.     In my garden nothing grows,     Garden of my heart, God knows,     That as long endures.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem presents a profound exploration of love, transience, and the enduring nature of truth and affection. The theme of ephemeral beauty is immediately established in the opening lines with the image of roses, traditional symbols of affection and love, that have lost their "glories". The speaker presents an alternative, a rose that "grows not wan", a metaphor for a love that doesn't fade away. The "rose of love" and the "leaf of truth", both unchanging, are offered as tokens of enduring love and honesty, intended to outlast the fleeting beauty of physical objects.

The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhyme scheme and meter, lends a rhythmic quality that underscores the poem's overall tone of earnest sincerity and solemn promise. The recurring motif of nature—roses, leaves, and the garden—creates a delicate contrast between the transience of natural beauty and the constancy of emotional truth. The closing lines reveal the speaker's vulnerability and longing, emphasizing the barren "garden of my heart" that only endures through the offered love and truth. The poem's simplicity belies its emotional depth, using straightforward language and vivid imagery to convey complex themes of love, loss, and enduring hope.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.