Can such Things be?
The poem explores themes of memory, longing, and the ethereal nature of love. The speaker reflects on a past relationship, evoking a sense of nostalgia and loss. The imagery of a grand, decaying palace symbolizes the remnants of a once-vibrant love, now overshadowed by time and absence. The music played by a beloved figure serves as a catalyst for these memories, transporting the speaker to a place where the boundaries between reality and dreams blur. As the music fills the space, it conjures visions of art and beauty, suggesting that love is intertwined with creativity and inspiration. The mention of historical artists like Titian and Tintoret emphasizes the timelessness of the emotions being experienced. The corridor represents a passage through time, where the speaker anticipates the arrival of the beloved, highlighting the tension between hope and despair. The poem captures the essence of yearning, as the speaker grapples with the weight of the past and the impact of lost love. The interplay of light and darkness throughout the imagery reflects the duality of joy and sorrow inherent in such memories. Ultimately, the work delves into the complexities of love, illustrating how it can transcend time yet remain hauntingly elusive.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic · 168 words
First lines
Meseemed that while she played, while lightly yet Her fingers fell, as roses bloom by bloom, I listened -- dead within a mighty room Of some old palace where great casements let Gaunt moonlight in, that glimpsed a parapet Of statued marble: in the arrased gloom Majestic pictures towered, dim as doom, The dreams of Titian and of Tintoret. And then, it seemed, along a corridor, A mile of oak, a stricken footstep came. Hurrying, yet slow. I thought long centuries Passed ere she entered -- she, I loved of yore, For whom I died, who wildly wailed my name And bent and kissed me on the mouth and eyes.
What this Textopian page supports
Can such Things be? is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1902 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Madison Cawein
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic, Symbolism, Fantasy
- Length: 168 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and imagery.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, nostalgia, and emotional depth are prevalent, characteristic of the Romantic genre.
- Gothic — The setting and mood evoke a sense of mystery and the supernatural, typical of Gothic literature.
- Symbolism — The use of symbolic imagery and metaphors reflects the Symbolist movement's influence.
Tags
Poetry · Philosophical · Existential · Meditative · Nature · Spiritual · Inspirational · Thought-provoking · Emotional · Introspective · Contemplative · Symbolic