The Forest Spring

By Madison Julius Cawein

Lyric Poem
    Push back the brambles, berry-blue:     The hollowed spring is full in view:     Deep-tangled with luxuriant fern     Its rock-embedded, crystal urn.     Not for the loneliness that keeps     The coigne wherein its silence sleeps;     Not for wild butterflies that sway     Their pansy pinions all the day     Above its mirror; nor the bee,     Nor dragon-fly, that passing see     Themselves reflected in its spar;     Not for the one white liquid star,     That twinkles in its firmament;     Nor moon-shot clouds, so slowly sent     Athwart it when the kindly night     Beads all its grasses with the light     Small jewels of the dimpled dew;     Not for the day's inverted blue     Nor the quaint, dimly coloured stones     That dance within it where it moans:     Not for all these I love to sit     In silence and to gaze in it.     But, know, a nymph with merry eyes     Looks at me from its laughing skies;     A graceful glimmering nymph who plays     All the long fragrant summer days     With instant sights of bees and birds,     And speaks with them in water words,     And for whose nakedness the air     Weaves moony mists, and on whose hair,     Unfilleted, the night will set     That lone star as a coronet.

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 vivid and richly detailed exploration of the natural world, encapsulated in the image of a secluded spring. The poet employs a lush, intricate style to capture the spring's vibrancy and isolation, setting it apart as a realm of enchantment. The imagery, bursting with life and color, evokes the sense of a hidden, almost magical place, brimming with the beauty of flora and fauna.

Beyond its vivid descriptions, the poem is notable for its personification of the spring. In the concluding lines, the speaker reveals that they see a nymph— a mythological spirit of nature— within the spring's waters, interacting with the local wildlife and embodying the spring's enchanting aura. This personification elevates the poem from a simple nature description to a more profound meditation on the interplay between reality and imagination, the tangible and the mythical. The tone is one of gentle reverence and fascination, reflecting the speaker's deep affection and respect for the natural world.

Structurally, the poem is composed of rhymed couplets, which lends a rhythm and musicality to the text. This rhythm, coupled with the rich, vibrant imagery and personification, creates a captivating and immersive reading experience. The poem's strong sense of place and vivid characterization of nature reflect a Romantic influence, celebrating the natural world's beauty and mystery.

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.