The End Of Summer

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sonnet
    Pods the poppies, and slim spires of pods     The hollyhocks; the balsam's pearly bredes     Of rose-stained snow are little sacs of seeds     Collapsing at a touch: the lote, that sods     The pond with green, has changed its flowers to rods     And discs of vesicles; and all the weeds,     Around the sleepy water and its reeds,     Are one white smoke of seeded silk that nods.     Summer is dead, ay me! sweet Summer's dead!     The sunset clouds have built her funeral pyre,     Through which, e'en now, runs subterranean fire:     While from the east, as from a garden bed,     Mist-vined, the Dusk lifts her broad moon - like some     Great golden melon - saying, "Fall has come."

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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 and evocative exploration of the changing seasons, specifically the transition from summer to fall. A sense of melancholy permeates the poem as it mourns the death of summer, yet there's also a certain beauty and peace found in the arrival of fall. The poet uses rich, detailed imagery to describe this natural transformation, giving life to the landscape through the description of the poppies, hollyhocks, balsam, and lote. The narrative is further enhanced by the use of personification, such as the 'sunset clouds' building 'her funeral pyre' and the 'Dusk' lifting 'her broad moon'.

The structure of the poem is robust and consistent, utilizing a rhyme scheme that adds a lyrical quality to the narrative. The tone is contemplative and slightly mournful, yet there is also a note of acceptance and, perhaps, anticipation of the beauty that fall will bring. The poet’s use of metaphors is also worth noting, especially the comparison of the moon to a 'great golden melon', which adds a touch of whimsy and color to the scene. This poem, in its description of nature's cycle, speaks to the impermanence of all things and the constant flux of life itself.

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.