The Blue Bird

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sonnet
    From morn till noon upon the window-pane     The tempest tapped with rainy finger-nails,     And all the afternoon the blustering gales     Beat at the door with furious feet of rain.     The rose, near which the lily bloom lay slain,     Like some red wound dripped by the garden rails,     On which the sullen slug left slimy trails     Meseemed the sun would never shine again.     Then in the drench, long, loud and full of cheer,     A skyey herald tabarded in blue,     A bluebird bugled... and at once a bow     Was bent in heaven, and I seemed to hear     God's sapphire spaces crystallizing through     The strata'd clouds in azure tremolo.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a vivid exploration of the natural world, dominated by the theme of transformation. The first half of the poem is marked by a melancholic tone and a sense of despair, vividly depicted through images of a relentless storm "tapping with rainy finger-nails" and a rose dripping like a "red wound" by the garden rails. The author's use of personification intensifies the storm's destructive power, creating an atmosphere of desolation and gloom.

The second half of the poem, however, signals a dramatic shift, both in tone and imagery. The emergence of the "skyey herald tabarded in blue," referring to a bluebird, initiates a transition from storm to tranquility, from despair to hope. The poet's use of color symbolism, with the bluebird and the "sapphire spaces," accentuates this shift, while the bow "bent in heaven" evokes the image of a rainbow, a universal symbol of peace and promises fulfilled. The poem's structure mirrors this transformation: it begins with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere, then gradually lightens, culminating in a serene and uplifting ending. The use of sound imagery in the final line, "azure tremolo," is particularly noteworthy, transforming the visual into an auditory experience and providing a resonant conclusion to the poem.

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.