Apart by Madison Cawein (1903)
The poem explores themes of longing, love, and separation. It captures the speaker's deep emotional connection to a beloved, even in their physical absence. The imagery of nature—sunset, stars, roses, and flowing waters—serves to evoke a sense of beauty and tranquility, contrasting with the speaker's inner turmoil of missing someone dear. In the first section, the speaker reflects on the serene beauty of the evening, where the fading light and the rising moon prompt thoughts of the beloved. The use of sensory details, such as the scent of roses and the visual of the moon, enhances the emotional weight of the speaker's reminiscence. The second section continues this theme, with the speaker dreaming of the beloved while nature flourishes around them. The metaphor of a flower thrown by an angel suggests a divine or fated connection, emphasizing the purity and intensity of the speaker's feelings. In the final section, the speaker expresses a desire to hold onto thoughts and dreams of the beloved, asserting that love remains steadfast despite physical distance. The imagery of being able to see and feel the beloved's presence through thought reinforces the idea that emotional bonds can transcend separation. Overall, the work encapsulates the bittersweet nature of love, where beauty and longing coexist, illustrating how memories and dreams can sustain a connection even when lovers are apart.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1903 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 215 words
First lines
I. While sunset burns and stars are few, And roses scent the fading light, And like a slim urn, dripping dew, A spirit carries through the night, The pearl-pale moon hangs new, -- I think of you, of you.
II. While waters flow, and soft winds woo The golden-hearted bud with sighs; And, like a flower an angel threw, Out of the momentary skies A star falls burning blue, -- I dream of you, of you.
III. While love believes, and hearts are true, So let me think, so let me dream; The thought and dream so wedded to Your face, that, far apart, I seem To see each thing you do, And be with you, with you.
What this Textopian page supports
Apart is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1903 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: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Nature Writing, Sentimentalism
- Length: 215 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Apart 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 Apart?
- How does this poem by Madison Cawein fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- If In The Foggy Aleutians by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Hedge Of Hemlocks by Edna St Vincent Millay
- When The Year Grows Old by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Low Tide by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Pastoral by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Lonely Land by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of love and longing.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, nature, and emotional expression align with the characteristics of Romantic literature.
- Lyric — The personal and emotional nature of the text reflects the qualities of lyric poetry, emphasizing individual feelings.
- Nature Writing — The vivid imagery of nature throughout the verses highlights the connection between the speaker's emotions and the natural world.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Solitude · Isolation · Longing · Loss · Memory · Nostalgia · Melancholy · Sorrow · Despair · Hope