Deserted by Madison Cawein (1903)
The poem explores themes of love, memory, and loss through vivid imagery and metaphor. It begins with the metaphor of a broken rainbow, symbolizing a love that once was vibrant but is now marred by grief and nostalgia. The imagery of sodden roses and low clouds evokes a sense of melancholy, suggesting that the beauty of past love is overshadowed by present sorrow. The second stanza introduces a hummingbird, representing fleeting joy and the ephemeral nature of love. The bird's rapid movements and the act of drinking from flowers illustrate the intensity and transience of passionate experiences. This stanza emphasizes the idea that love, while sweet, can also be momentary and elusive. In the third stanza, the moon is depicted as a foamy presence in a dark night, symbolizing a love that brings light and peace amidst turmoil. The contrast between the moon's brightness and the surrounding darkness reflects the duality of love—its ability to provide solace while also being tinged with sadness. The mention of Memory suggests that the past continues to influence the present. The final stanza presents a more tumultuous image of love, likening it to a blaze of thunder that reveals the depths of existence. This powerful imagery conveys the idea that love can be both destructive and enlightening, capable of separating life from death and awakening profound realizations. The poem concludes with a sense of chaos, indicating that love encompasses both joy and despair, ultimately leading to a confrontation with mortality. Overall, the work captures the complexity of love through rich, sensory language, illustrating how it intertwines with memory and the passage of time, leaving an indelible mark on the soul.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1903 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Imagism · 421 words
First lines
/ A broken rainbow on the skies of May / Touching the sodden roses and low clouds, / And in wet clouds like scattered jewels lost: / Upon the heaven of a soul the ghost / Of a great love, perfect in its pure ray, / Touching the roses moist of memory / To die within the Present's grief of clouds -- / A broken rainbow on the skies of May.
What this Textopian page supports
Deserted 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: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Imagism, Symbolism, Nature Poetry
- Length: 421 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for Deserted by Madison Cawein
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by its emotional expression and personal reflection, typical of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, nature, and emotional depth align with the Romantic literary movement.
- Imagism — The vivid imagery and focus on sensory experiences reflect the principles of Imagism.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols, such as the rainbow and hummingbird, conveys deeper meanings and emotions.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Solitude · Despair · Loss · Longing · Isolation · Melancholy · Hopelessness · Darkness · Light · Freedom