The Dead Day

By Madison Julius Cawein

Lyric Poem
    The west builds high a sepulcher     Of cloudy granite and of gold,     Where twilight's priestly hours inter     The Day like some great king of old.     A censer, rimmed with silver fire,     The new moon swings above his tomb;     While, organ-stops of God's own choir,     Star after star throbs in the gloom.     And Night draws near, the sadly sweet -     A nun whose face is calm and fair -     And kneeling at the dead Day's feet     Her soul goes up in mists like prayer.     In prayer, we feel through dewy gleam     And flowery fragrance, and - above     All earth - the ecstasy and dream     That haunt the mystic heart of love.

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 Lyric Poems
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a powerful and evocative piece, rich with imagery and metaphor, that explores themes of mortality, nature, the passage of time, and spiritual transcendence. The tone is solemn yet serene, and the poet employs a strongly metaphorical language to convey a sense of grandeur and reverence toward the natural world.

The poem is structured in four quatrains, each developing a different aspect of the overarching theme. The first quatrain describes the setting sun as a "great king of old" being interred, a metaphor which introduces the theme of death and the cycle of life. The second stanza introduces celestial imagery, with the "new moon" as a censer and stars as "organ-stops of God's own choir," suggesting the divine nature of this "sepulcher." The third stanza personifies Night as a nun in prayer, further emphasizing the spiritual aspect. The final stanza concludes with a meditation on the transcendent power of love.

Throughout, the poet utilizes a variety of poetic devices including metaphor, personification, and vivid imagery to create a rich, multi-layered sensory experience. The poem is both a celebration of the natural world and a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality, all interwoven with a profound sense of spiritual reverence. The poet's use of religious and spiritual imagery elevates the natural world to a divine level, suggesting a deep connection between humanity, nature, and the divine.

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.