An Anemone by Madison Cawein (1902)
The poem explores the theme of beauty through a dialogue between the speaker and an anemone, a flower symbolizing both fragility and allure. The speaker seeks to understand the essence of beauty, questioning its origins and its dual nature of being both immortal and mortal. The anemone is personified, embodying qualities of wildness and shyness, reminiscent of mythological figures like Dryads and Oreads. The speaker expresses a desire for wisdom, hoping that by understanding beauty, they can preserve joyful memories and transcend sorrow. The anemone responds with a sense of humility, suggesting that beauty cannot be fully comprehended or taught, as it is an intrinsic quality of existence. The exchange highlights the complexity of beauty, suggesting that it is both a personal experience and a universal truth, ultimately eluding complete understanding. The poem concludes with the anemone's assertion that the quest for knowledge about beauty is presumptuous, emphasizing the limitations of human understanding in the face of divine or natural beauty. The interplay between the speaker's yearning for wisdom and the anemone's enigmatic nature creates a rich tapestry of thought on the nature of beauty and existence.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Philosophical Poetry · 315 words
First lines
"Teach me the wisdom of thy beauty, pray, That, being thus wise, I may aspire to see What beauty is, whence, why, and in what way Immortal, yet how mortal utterly: For, shrinking loveliness, thy brow of day Pleads plaintive as a prayer, anemone.
"Teach me wood-wisdom, I am petulant: Thou hast the wildness of a Dryad's eyes, The shyness of an Oread's, wild plant: -- Behold the bashful goddess where she lies Distinctly delicate! -- inhabitant Ambrosial-earthed, star-cousin of the skies.
What this Textopian page supports
An Anemone is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1902 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: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism
- Length: 315 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Anemone by Madison Cawein
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering An Anemone?
- How does this poem by Madison Cawein fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- On A Dial by Madison Cawein
- The White Evening by Madison Cawein
- Strollers by Madison Cawein
- Tones by Madison Cawein
- Pictured by Madison Cawein
- Rosemary by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem's focus on beauty, nature, and emotional expression aligns it closely with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The vivid imagery and themes centered around natural elements, particularly the anemone, highlight its classification as nature poetry.
- Philosophical Poetry — The exploration of beauty, existence, and wisdom indicates a philosophical approach to the subject matter.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on emotion, individual experience, and the beauty of nature reflects key elements of the Romantic genre.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Personification · Alliteration · Assonance · Consonance · Enjambment · Free Verse · Lyric Poetry