Author: Madison Julius Cawein
I. The Moonshiner He leans far out and watches: Down below The road seems but a ribbon through the trees: The bluff, from which he gazes, whence he sees Some ox-team or some horseman come and go, Is briered with brush. A man comes riding slow Around a bend of road. Against his knees The branches whip. He sits at careless ease. It is the sheriff, armed for any foe. A detonation tears the echoes from Each pine-hung crag; upon the rider's brow A smear of red springs out: he shades it now, His grey eyes on the bluff. The crags are dumb. Smoke wreathes one spot. The sheriff, with a cough, Marks well that place, and then rides slowly off. II. The Sheriff Night and the mountain road: a crag where burns What seems a star, low down: three men that glide From tree and rock towards it: one a guide For him who never from his purpose turns, Who stands for law among these mountain kerns. At last the torchlit cave, along whose side The still is seen, and men who have defied The law so long law, who the threshold spurns With levelled weapons now.... Wolves in a den Fight not more fiercely than these fought; wild fear In every face, and rage and pale surprise. The smoke thins off, and in the cave four men Lie dead or dying: one that mountaineer, And one the sheriff with the fearless eyes.
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem employs a narrative structure to explore themes of justice, defiance, and violence in a frontier setting. It is divided into two parts, each following a different protagonist: the Moonshiner and the Sheriff. This structure creates a compelling contrast between the two characters and their perspectives, highlighting the moral ambiguity of their actions.
The poem's tone is stark and intense, mirroring the rugged landscape and the high-stakes conflict. This is reinforced by the poet's use of vivid, sensory language, particularly in descriptions of the environment: roads as "ribbons through the trees," echoes torn from "pine-hung crags," and the "torchlit cave." The poem also uses metaphor effectively, as when the Sheriff's death is subtly foreshadowed by a "smear of red" on his brow.
The imagery in the poem is stark and chilling, amplifying the tension between the two figures. The "detonation," the "smear of red," and the "sheriff with the fearless eyes" all contribute to a vivid portrayal of the grim realities of a lawless frontier. The poem's use of enjambment, where sentences and phrases carry over line breaks, also helps to maintain the suspense and momentum of the narrative.
Overall, the poem's exploration of frontier justice, its intense tone, and its vivid, sensory language make it a compelling read. The poet's choice to portray the story from two perspectives adds depth and complexity, inviting readers to ponder the nature of morality and justice.
Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.
Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:
From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.