Distance by Madison Cawein (1910)
The poem explores themes of nostalgia, lost love, and the passage of time through vivid imagery and emotional resonance. The speaker recounts a dream where they find themselves in a familiar, idyllic setting filled with nature's beauty, symbolizing a connection to the past. The landscape is rich with sensory details, such as the purple clover and violet blooms, evoking a sense of longing and remembrance. In the dream, the presence of a beloved figure brings warmth and light, contrasting with the surrounding gloom. This figure embodies the joy and innocence of earlier days, represented by the vibrant sounds of nature and the intoxicating scents of flowers. The speaker is drawn to this figure, feeling a deep emotional pull that transports them back to happier times. As the dream progresses, the speaker's yearning intensifies, leading to a poignant realization of loss. The beloved figure, once within reach, becomes elusive, symbolizing the unattainable nature of the past. The dream culminates in a bittersweet awakening, where the speaker is left with the pain of unfulfilled desire and the sorrow of memories that cannot be reclaimed. Overall, the work encapsulates the struggle between the beauty of cherished memories and the heartache of their absence, illustrating the complexities of love and the inevitability of change.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1910 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Poetry · 262 words
First lines
I. I dreamed last night once more I stood Knee-deep in purple clover leas; Your old home glimmered thro' its wood Of dark and melancholy trees, Where ev'ry sudden summer breeze That wantoned o'er the solitude The water's melody pursued, And sleepy hummings of the bees.
II. And ankle-deep in violet blooms Methought I saw you standing there, A lawny light among the glooms, A crown of sunlight on your hair; Wild songsters singing every where Made lightning with their glossy plumes; About you clung the wild perfumes And swooned along the shining air.
What this Textopian page supports
Distance is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Poetry, Elegy, Imagism
- Length: 262 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Distance by Madison Cawein
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- How does this poem by Madison Cawein fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- To A Friend Estranged From Me by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Mine by Emily Dickinson
- Low Tide by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Abandoned by Madison Cawein
- O Ailing Love by Edna St Vincent Millay
- To E T by Robert Frost
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, nostalgia, and idealized love align with Romantic literary ideals.
- Nature Poetry — The vivid imagery of nature and its connection to emotions is central to the poem.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on lost love and memories, fitting the elegiac tradition.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Emotion · Distance · Longing · Isolation · Solitude · Melancholy · Nostalgia · Memory · Loss · Separation