A Maid who Died Old
The poem presents a poignant reflection on the life of a maid who has aged without experiencing love or fulfillment. The imagery evokes a sense of fragility and despair, depicting her physical decline and emotional desolation. The maid's face is described as frail and worn, suggesting a life filled with waiting and unfulfilled hopes. The use of light and darkness symbolizes the absence of joy and purpose in her existence. Her gray hair and sunken features illustrate the toll of time and the weight of unfulfilled dreams. The poem emphasizes her isolation, with "soldered eyes" that remain unresponsive to the world around her. The imagery of her hands, "forever clasped in silent vows," suggests a longing for connection and love that was never realized. The maid's body, designed for nurturing and love, has instead become a vessel of unfulfilled potential. The poem contrasts the natural purpose of life with the reality of her experience, highlighting the tragedy of a life lived in silence and longing. The final lines encapsulate her fate, resting in the grave as a "sad shell" that served no purpose, underscoring the themes of loss and the unfulfilled desires that haunt her existence. The work ultimately serves as a meditation on the human condition, exploring the intersection of life, love, and the inevitability of death.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1907 · Genre: Poetry, Lyrical, Elegy · 283 words
First lines
Frail, shrunken face, so pinched and worn, That life has carved with care and doubt! So weary waiting, night and morn, For that which never came about! Pale lamp, so utterly forlorn, In which God's light at last is out.
Gray hair, that lies so thin and prim On either side the sunken brows! And soldered eyes, so deep and dim, No word of man could now arouse! And hollow hands, so virgin slim, Forever clasped in silent vows!
Poor breasts! that God designed for love, For baby lips to kiss and press; That never felt, yet dreamed thereof, The human touch, the child caress -- That lie like shriveled blooms above The heart's long-perished happiness.
What this Textopian page supports
A Maid who Died Old is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Madison Cawein
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyrical, Elegy, Romanticism, Existentialism
- Length: 283 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
- Sonnet Of Burial by David Park Barnitz
- On The Beach At Fontana by James Joyce
- The Blind Harper by Madison Cawein
- The Wife by Emily Dickinson
- The Forgotten Grave by Emily Dickinson
- The Last Night That She Lived by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure to convey deep emotions and themes.
- Lyrical — The poem expresses personal feelings and reflections on life, death, and unfulfilled desires.
- Elegy — The poem mourns the loss of potential and life, fitting the characteristics of an elegy.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and individual experience align with Romantic literary ideals.
Tags
Poetry · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Mortality · Aging · Death · Loss · Grief · Memory · Nostalgia · Family Dynamics