
The poem invites readers into a mystical realm where nature and the supernatural intertwine. It opens with a serene night scene, characterized by a moonlit landscape and the gentle sounds of the wind. The imagery evokes a sense of tranquility, with a bee resting on a sunflower and an owlet providing a melodic backdrop. The call to dance in the faery realm suggests a celebration of life and the enchantment of the night. As the poem progresses, the atmosphere shifts slightly, introducing elements of dampness and the glow of a glow-worm. The mention of a gray moth and elfin garments hanging in the moonlight enhances the ethereal quality of the setting. The crickets' song serves as a musical accompaniment, reinforcing the invitation to join in the faery dance. The final stanza deepens the sensory experience, with the scent of freshly cut hay and the ghostly presence of a pansy bloom. The imagery of a butterfly dreaming in the gloom symbolizes the delicate balance between reality and fantasy. The repeated refrain to dance in faery emphasizes the allure of this enchanted world, inviting the reader to escape into a realm of imagination and wonder. Overall, the work captures the essence of a magical night, blending natural beauty with the enchanting presence of faeries, creating a vivid tapestry of sights, sounds, and sensations that beckon the reader to partake in the joy of the moment.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1904 · Genre: Fantasy, Poetry, Nature · 269 words
I. The winds are whist; and, hid in mist, The moon hangs o'er the wooded height; The bushy bee, with unkempt head, Hath made the sunflower's disk his bed, And sleeps half-hid from sight. The owlet makes us melody -- Come dance with us in Faery, Come dance with us to-night.
II. The dew is damp; the glow-worm's lamp Blurs in the moss its tawny light; The great gray moth sinks, half-asleep, Where, in an elfin-laundered heap, The lily-gowns hang white. The crickets make us minstrelsy -- Come dance with us in Faery, Come dance with us to-night.
Faery Morris is listed on Textopian as a short story by Madison Cawein, dated 1904 CE.
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Poetry · Fairy Tales · Mythology · Fantasy · Literary Fiction · Symbolism · Imagery · Language · Style · Tone · Mood · Atmosphere