Clouds of the Autumn Night
The poem explores themes of nature, transience, and emotional turmoil against the backdrop of an autumn night. It begins with a vivid depiction of clouds moving under a hunter's moon, evoking a sense of ghostly beauty and wildness. The imagery of leaves scattered by the wind symbolizes the fleeting nature of life and emotions. The speaker addresses the clouds, questioning their destination as they journey from the west, where dusk casts a mystical atmosphere over the landscape. The personification of dusk as a witch-like figure enhances the poem's ethereal quality, suggesting a connection between the natural world and the speaker's inner feelings. As the clouds move toward the east, where morning lies in shadow, the poem contrasts the darkness of night with the promise of dawn. The imagery of dreams fluttering around a gate of horn introduces a sense of longing and nostalgia, hinting at the speaker's desire for solace and resolution. The speaker implores the clouds to carry away their sorrow, expressing a deep emotional burden. The plea for rain and snow to wash away tears signifies a yearning for catharsis and healing. The clouds are seen as a vehicle for the speaker's grief, connecting the external world with internal struggles. In the final lines, the clouds are directed to a grave, where the speaker's lost love lies. This poignant imagery underscores themes of loss and remembrance, as the clouds are invited to fall upon the resting place, symbolizing a final farewell. The poem encapsulates the interplay between nature and human emotion, illustrating how the external environment reflects the speaker's inner turmoil and longing for peace.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1903 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Writing · 224 words
First lines
Clouds of the autumn night, Under the hunter's moon, -- Ghostly and windy white, -- Whither, like leaves wild strewn, Take ye your stormy flight?
Out of the west, where dusk, From her rich windowsill, Leaned with a wand of tusk, Witch-like, and wood and hill Phantomed with mist and musk.
Into the east, where morn Sleeps in a shadowy close, Shut with a gate of horn, 'Round which the dreams she knows Flutter with rose and thorn.
Blow from the west, oh, blow, Clouds that the tempest steers! And with your rain and snow Bear of my heart the tears, And of my soul the woe.
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Clouds of the Autumn Night is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1903 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Madison Cawein
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Writing, Gothic, Symbolism
- Length: 224 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured as a poem, utilizing meter, rhyme, and vivid imagery.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and the supernatural reflect Romantic ideals.
- Nature Writing — The poem extensively describes natural elements and their emotional impact.
- Gothic — The use of dark imagery and themes of death and sorrow align with Gothic elements.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Autumn · Night · Clouds · Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor · Personification · Figurative Language · Literary Device · Seasonal Change