Dusk by Madison Cawein (1902)
The poem captures the serene and reflective atmosphere of dusk, portraying a landscape rich in color and emotion. It opens with vivid imagery of corn-colored clouds against a golden sky, evoking a sense of harvest and nostalgia. The twilight is personified, described as gleaning beauty and fragrance from the heavens, enhancing the tranquil yet melancholic mood. The setting is peaceful, with a hushed forest and still hills, interrupted only by the gentle sounds of a brook and the distant call of a whippoorwill. This tranquility mirrors the speaker's introspective feelings, as they contemplate a beloved's name, likening it to a sweet bee within a rose, suggesting a deep connection and affection. The poem explores themes of nature, memory, and longing, intertwining the beauty of the natural world with personal emotions. The dusk serves as a metaphor for transition, both in the day and in the speaker's inner life, highlighting the interplay between light and shadow, joy and sorrow. The imagery evokes a sense of peace, yet also a yearning for something lost or unattainable, encapsulating the complexity of human emotions in the face of nature's beauty.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Poetry · 179 words
First lines
Corn-colored clouds upon a sky of gold, And 'mid their sheaves, -- where, like a daisy-bloom Left by the reapers to the gathering gloom, The star of twilight glows, -- as Ruth, 'tis told, Dreamed homesick 'mid the harvest fields of old, The Dusk goes gleaning color and perfume From Bible slopes of heaven, that illume Her pensive beauty deep in shadows stoled. Hushed is the forest; and blue vale and hill Are still, save for the brooklet, sleepily Stumbling the stone with one foam-fluttering foot: Save for the note of one far whippoorwill, And in my heart _her_ name, -- like some sweet bee Within a rose, -- blowing a faery flute.
What this Textopian page supports
Dusk 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, Nature Poetry, Symbolism, Imagism
- Length: 179 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Dusk?
- How does this poem by Madison Cawein fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Dusk In The Woods by Madison Cawein
- A Gray Day by Madison Cawein
- In The Wood by Madison Cawein
- A Summer Evening by W. B. Yeats
- Late October by Madison Cawein
- Rain by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem's focus on personal emotion and vivid imagery aligns it closely with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature, beauty, and emotional depth reflect the ideals of the Romantic movement.
- Nature Poetry — The poem extensively describes natural elements and their beauty, emphasizing the connection between nature and human emotion.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols, such as the 'star of twilight' and 'whippoorwill', conveys deeper meanings and emotions.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Sunset · Twilight · Mood · Atmosphere · Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor · Personification · Emotion · Reflection