The Golden Hour.

By Madison Julius Cawein

Lyric Poem
I.     She comes, the dreamy daughter     Of day and night, a girl,     Who o'er the western water     Lifts up her moon of pearl:     Like some Rebecca at the well,     Who fills her jar of crystal shell,     Down ways of dew, o'er dale and dell,     Dusk comes with dreams of you,     Of you,     Dusk comes with dreams of you. II.     She comes, the serious sister     Of all the stars that strew     The deeps of God, and glister     Bright on the darkling blue:     Like some loved Ruth, who heaps her arm     With golden gleanings of the farm,     Down fields of stars, where shadows swarm,     Dusk comes with thoughts of you,     Of you,     Dusk comes with thoughts of you. III.     She comes, and soft winds greet her,     And whispering odors woo;     She is the words and meter     They set their music to:     Like Israfel, a spirit fair,     Whose heart's a silvery dulcimer,     Down listening slopes of earth and air     Dusk comes with love of you,     Of you,     Dusk comes with love of you.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem under examination employs rich and evocative imagery to personify the dusk as a female figure, imbuing the natural phenomenon with a sense of dreamy beauty and serene majesty. The poet's primary theme revolves around the potent combination of nature and unspoken affection, using the dusk as a symbol of the poet's yearning for a distant beloved.

The poem's structure, three stanzas each ending with the refrain "Dusk comes with dreams/thoughts/love of you," creates an elegant rhythm and brings to the fore the poet's longing. The tone is one of romantic melancholy, with the arrival of dusk bringing not only calm, but also dreams, thoughts, and love for the unnamed "you". The poet uses Biblical allusions such as Rebecca and Ruth, as well as the mythical Israfel, to elevate and add a layer of spiritual depth to the representation of dusk. The consistent use of such references, along with the overall tone and structure, reveals a skillful use of literary devices to lend depth and richness to the narrative. The use of synesthesia, where one sense is described in terms of another, such as "whispering odors" and "listening slopes of earth and air," adds to the lyrical quality of the poem. Overall, this piece is a heartfelt ode to love, longing, and the beauty of nature's daily phenomena.

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.