Author: Madison Julius Cawein
Whiten, oh whiten, O clouds of lawn! Lily-like clouds that whiten above, Now like a dove, and now like a swan, But never, oh never pass on! pass on! Never so white as the throat of my love. Blue-black night on the mountain peaks Is not so black as the locks o' my love! Stars that shine through the evening streaks Over the torrent that flashes and breaks, Are not so bright as the eyes o' my love! Moon in a cloud, a cloud of snow, Mist in the vale where the rivulet sounds, Dropping from ledge to ledge below, Turning to gold in the sunset's glow, Are not so soft as her footstep sounds. Sound o' May winds in the blossoming trees, Is not so sweet as her laugh that rings; Song o' wild birds on the morning breeze, Birds and brooks and murmur o' bees, Are harsh to her voice when she laughs or sings. The rose of my heart is she, my dawn! My star o' the east, my moon above! My soul takes ship for the Avalon Of her heart of hearts, and shall sail on Till it anchors safe in its haven of love.
Type of Poem: Lyric Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem is a romantic ode to a beloved, employing grand natural imagery to capture the speaker's profound admiration and love. The central themes of the poem include love, beauty, and nature, with the loved one being constantly compared to various elements of the natural world. The tone is deeply affectionate and almost reverential, emphasizing the speaker's intense feelings.
Structurally, the poem consists of five quatrains, each with a consistent rhyme scheme. This regular rhythm and rhyme pattern contributes to the overall harmonious feel of the poem, mirroring the speaker's harmonious feelings towards the beloved. The poem utilizes a wealth of literary devices, with simile and metaphor being the most prominent. The beloved is compared to clouds, night, stars, the moon, and a rose in a series of vivid and evocative similes. These comparisons serve not only to magnify the beauty of the beloved but also to place her in the context of the sublime natural world, thereby elevating her to an almost divine status.
The recurring use of the word 'my' before 'love' personalises the poem, making it an intimate address to the beloved. The final verses suggest a journey of the soul towards love, a metaphorical voyage that highlights the transcendental quality of love. This voyage ends with the soul finding a safe haven in love, reinforcing the comforting and reassuring aspect of love. This poem, through its lush imagery and passionate tone, successfully conveys the depth and intensity of the speaker's love.
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:
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.