Forevermore by Madison Cawein (1908)

Name: Forevermore
Author: Madison Cawein

The poem explores themes of love, loss, memory, and the passage of time. It begins with a lament for the fleeting nature of love and the longing for the joys of summer, symbolized by swallows. The speaker expresses a deep yearning for the vitality and passion of love, contrasting it with the sorrow and emptiness that follows lost relationships. As the poem progresses, it delves into the pain of unfulfilled desires and the haunting presence of memories. The imagery of dead flowers and weeping faces illustrates the weight of past loves and the emotional toll they take. The speaker reflects on the bittersweet nature of memory, which brings both joy and sorrow, emphasizing the struggle between the desire to remember and the wish to forget. The longing for the blissful moments of youth and love is palpable, as the speaker yearns for the return of passion and beauty. There is a desire to escape the burdens of sorrow and the relentless passage of time, seeking instead the wild laughter and fervor of past experiences. The poem also contemplates the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to escape its grasp. The grave symbolizes a finality that offers no solace, leaving the speaker in a state of unrest. The struggle between the desire for peace and the turmoil of unfulfilled emotions is evident. Ultimately, the poem concludes with a sense of resignation. The speaker acknowledges the harsh lessons of life, which harden the heart and lead to a solitary existence. The imagery of the last swallow soaring away encapsulates the theme of isolation and the enduring quest for meaning in a world marked by loss. The work captures the essence of human experience, reflecting on the interplay of love, memory, and the inexorable passage of time.

By Madison Cawein · First published 1908 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 544 words

First lines

I. O heart that vainly follows The flight of summer swallows, Far over holts and hollows, O'er frozen buds and flowers; To violet seas and levels, Where Love Time's locks dishevels With merry mimes and revels Of aphrodisiac Hours.

II. O Love who, dreaming, borrows Dead love from sad to-morrows, The broken heart that sorrows, The blighted hopes that weep; Pale faces pale with sleeping; Red eyelids red with weeping; Dead lips dead secrets keeping, That shake the deeps of sleep!

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Forevermore is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1908 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Madison Cawein
Date: 1908 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Melancholy, Philosophical
Length: 544 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as meter, rhyme, and imagery.
Romanticism — The themes of love, longing, and nature reflect the ideals of the Romantic movement.
Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Melancholy — The exploration of sorrow, loss, and nostalgia contributes to a melancholic tone.