At Sunset by Madison Cawein (1902)
The poem explores the transition from day to night, using vivid imagery to depict the beauty and magic of twilight. The sunset is personified as a mystical journey, with the moon likened to a barge sailing into a realm of enchantment. Dusk is introduced as a gentle figure, adorned in a ghost-gray gown, who brings forth stars, symbolizing the onset of night. As the poem progresses, night is characterized as a witch-like presence, blending elements of nature—dew and heat—creating an atmosphere filled with mist and musk. This transformation signifies a shift from the vibrancy of day to the mysterious allure of night. The speaker invites the reader to embark on a journey beyond the physical boundaries of sunset and twilight, suggesting a deeper exploration into a realm of love and light that transcends the ordinary. The repeated phrase "over the hills and away" emphasizes a longing for escape and discovery, reinforcing the theme of seeking beauty and connection in the twilight hours. Overall, the work captures the ethereal quality of dusk and night, inviting contemplation of the transition between day and night as a metaphor for deeper emotional and spiritual experiences.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Fantasy · 220 words
First lines
Into the sunset's turquoise marge The moon dips, like a pearly barge Enchantment sails through magic seas To faeryland Hesperides, Over the hills and away.
Into the fields, in ghost-gray gown, The young-eyed Dusk comes slowly down; Her apron filled with stars she stands, And one or two slip from her hands Over the hills and away.
Above the wood's black caldron bends The witch-faced Night and, muttering, blends The dew and heat, whose bubbles make The mist and musk that haunt the brake Over the hills and away.
Oh, come with me, and let us go Beyond the sunset lying low; Beyond the twilight and the night, Into Love's kingdom of long light, Over the hills and away.
What this Textopian page supports
At Sunset 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, Romanticism, Fantasy, Nature Poetry, Symbolism
- Length: 220 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem's focus on personal emotions and imagery aligns it closely with lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, beauty, and emotional depth reflect the characteristics of Romantic literature.
- Fantasy — Imagery of faeryland and magical elements suggest a fantasy genre influence.
- Nature Poetry — The vivid descriptions of natural elements and landscapes indicate a strong connection to nature poetry.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Sunset · Romance · Love · Loss · Longing · Melancholy · Beauty · Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor