After Long Grief by Madison Cawein
The poem evokes a serene, pastoral landscape, rich with imagery of nature and simplicity. It describes a tranquil setting filled with summer elements: trees, skies, flowing water, and the sounds of rural life, such as the tinkle of cowbells and the call of the bobwhite. This idyllic place symbolizes a refuge from the chaos of urban existence, offering a sense of peace and nostalgia. The speaker invites a companion to escape the burdens of city life and embrace the beauty of this natural haven. The imagery suggests a longing for connection, both with nature and with a loved one, emphasizing themes of love, simplicity, and the restorative power of the countryside. The description of the environment is imbued with sensory details, creating a vivid picture that contrasts sharply with the stresses of modern life. As the poem progresses, it delves deeper into the emotional landscape of the speaker, reflecting on the weight of grief and the solace found in nature. The longing for a return to innocence and joy is palpable, as the speaker yearns for a place where love and laughter can flourish, free from the burdens of sorrow. The interplay between the natural world and human emotion underscores the healing potential of the environment, suggesting that solace can be found in the beauty of the world around us. Ultimately, the work encapsulates a desire for escape and healing, portraying nature as a sanctuary where one can reconnect with simpler joys and find respite from grief. The imagery serves to evoke a sense of nostalgia and yearning, inviting readers to reflect on their own connections to nature and the comfort it can provide in times of sorrow.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1904 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Pastoral · 182 words
First lines
There is a place hung o'er of summer boughs And dreamy skies wherein the gray hawk sleeps; Where water flows, within whose lazy deeps, Like silvery prisms where the sunbeams drowse, The minnows twinkle; where the bells of cows Tinkle the stillness; and the bobwhite keeps Calling from meadows where the reaper reaps, And children's laughter haunts an oldtime house: A place where life wears ever an honest smell Of hay and honey, sun and elder-bloom, -- Like some sweet, simple girl, -- within her hair; Where, with our love for comrade, we may dwell Far from the city's strife, whose cares consume. -- Oh, take my hand and let me lead you there.
What this Textopian page supports
After Long Grief is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1904 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: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Pastoral, Nature Poetry, Sentimentalism
- Length: 182 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Grief by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- How Did I Bear It by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Pity Me by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Not Only Love Plus Awful Grief by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Loving You Less Than Life by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Sweeter Was Loss by Edna St Vincent Millay
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work exhibits strong emotional expression and personal reflection, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, nostalgia, and idealized love align with Romantic literary ideals.
- Pastoral — The setting and focus on rural life and nature suggest a pastoral genre.
- Nature Poetry — The vivid imagery of nature and its tranquility is central to the poem.
Tags
Poetry · Grief · Loss · Mourning · Emotional · Introspective · Reflective · Melancholic · Somber · Contemplative · Philosophical · Existential