The Golden Hour

Author: Madison Julius Cawein

    Gold-haired she stood among the golden-rod,
    A girl, embodying all the Golden Age,
    Who made that autumn day a glorious page
    Out of a book of gold inspired of God
    And made for Him by priests and worshippers
    Of Truth and Beauty, putting their praise in gold.
    The golden blossoms round her and, gold-rolled,
    The fields before, were as a golden verse
    Of which she was the bright initial: she!
    My heart-song's gold beginning, from whom grew
    Love's golden ritual, filled with aureate gleams
    And music, which my soul read wonderingly
    Within Love's book of gold, that mightily drew
    Our souls together, binding them with dreams.
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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a rich exploration of love, beauty, and divinity, interwoven with a striking golden motif. The poem presents a young woman standing amidst golden-rod, serving as a symbol for all the glory and splendor of the Golden Age. She is portrayed as a beacon of radiance and purity, her image elevating the surrounding scene into a divine, golden tableau.

The poem's structure is formal and its tone is reverential, aligning with the themes of worship and sacredness. The repetition of the word 'gold' is not merely a consistent color imagery, but a central motif that serves to elevate the girl's image and the love the speaker feels for her to a divine, almost otherworldly level. This 'golden' motif also connects the themes of truth, beauty, and love, suggesting their intrinsic value and permanence.

The poem also employs metaphor, comparing the girl to the bright initial of his 'heart-song', and their love to a 'golden ritual'. This conveys the transformative power of love, turning ordinary life into something sacred and beautiful. In conclusion, this poem is a celebration of love, beauty, and divinity, expressed through a careful blend of motif, metaphor, and vivid imagery. It invites readers to appreciate the golden moments in their own lives, hinting at the sacredness in the everyday.

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.