Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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    Come, let's climb into our attic,
    In our house that's old and gray!
    Life, you're old and I'm rheumatic,
    And it's close of day.

    Lay aside your rags and tatters,
    Shirt and shoes so soiled with clay!
    They're no use now. Nothing matters
    It is close of day.

    Let's to bed. It's cold. No fire.
    And no lamp to make a ray.
    Where's our servant, young Desire?
    Gone at close of day.

    Oft she served us with fine glances,
    Helped us out at work and play:
    She is gone now; better chances;
    And it's close of day.

    Where is Hope, who flaunted scarlet?
    Hope, who led us oft astray?
    Has she proved herself a harlot
    At the close of day?

    What's become of Dream and Vision?
    Friends we thought were here to stay?
    Has life clapped the two in prison
    At the close of day?

    They are gone; and how we miss them!
    They who made our garret gay.
    How we used to hug and kiss them!
    But 'tis close of day.

    Where's friend Love now? Who supposes?
    Has he flung himself away?
    Left us for a wreath of roses
    At the close of day?

    And where's Song? the soul elected
    Has he quit us too for aye?
    Was it poverty he suspected
    Near the close of day?

    How our attic rang their laughter!
    How it echoed laugh and lay!
    None may take their place hereafter?
    It is close of day.

    We have done the best we could do.
    Let us kneel awhile and pray.
    Now, no matter what we would do,
    It is close of day.

    Let's to bed then! It's December.
    Long enough since it was May!
    Let's forget it, and remember
    Now 'tis close of day.

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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 presents a profound exploration of life's impermanence, the inevitability of aging, and the loss of youthful vitality and dreams. The theme of the close of day serves as a metaphorical representation of the end of life, with a tone that is reflective, somber, and resigned, yet not without traces of nostalgia and acceptance.

The structure of the poem, composed of quatrains with a consistent rhyme scheme, contributes to the sense of routine and inevitability. The repeated phrase, "it's close of day," further underscores the poem's primary theme. The use of personification is also notable, with abstract concepts like Desire, Hope, Dream, Vision, Love, and Song presented as tangible characters who have left the speaker's life. This technique not only personifies these abstract notions but also conveys the speaker's sense of loss and loneliness as he reminisces about the presence of these entities in his life.

The poem's conclusion, where the speaker accepts his fate and prepares for the metaphorical 'night', encapsulates the poignant acceptance of life’s transience, the inevitability of aging and the passing of time. Despite the somber themes, there is a sense of peace and acceptance in the speaker's tone, suggesting that the close of day is not to be feared but accepted as a natural progression in life.