Home Again by Madison Cawein (1903)
The poem depicts a serene yet melancholic scene set in a rural environment, characterized by a late-night atmosphere filled with rain. The imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, as the speaker describes a home overgrown with nature, where silence reigns except for the sound of rain. The setting includes a dimly lit window, a porch obscured by vines, and a garden with old flowers, all contributing to a feeling of abandonment and stillness. As the narrative unfolds, a figure approaches the home, cautious and stealthy, indicating a return after a significant absence. The tension builds as the figure, revealed to be a son returning from war, is contrasted with the mother inside, who is unaware of his arrival. She is depicted as engaged in a quiet, reflective activity, knitting and lost in thoughts of her son, whom she believes to be far away. The moment of reunion is poignant; the son enters, and the mother, surprised and overjoyed, embraces him. The rain serves as a backdrop to their emotional reconnection, symbolizing both the trials faced during his absence and the cleansing joy of their reunion. The poem captures themes of homecoming, the passage of time, and the enduring bond between mother and son, highlighting the emotional weight of returning to a place filled with memories.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1903 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Romanticism · 363 words
First lines
Far down the lane A window pane Gleams 'mid the trees through night and rain. The weeds are dense Through which a fence Of pickets rambles, none sees whence, Before a porch, all indistinct of line, O'er-grown and matted with wistaria-vine.
No thing is heard, No beast or bird, Only the rain by which are stirred The draining leaves, And trickling eaves Of crib and barn one scarce perceives; And garden-beds where old-time flow'rs hang wet The phlox, the candytuft, and mignonette.
What this Textopian page supports
Home Again 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: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Romanticism, War Literature, Sentimental Literature
- Length: 363 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Home Again by Madison Cawein
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Home Again?
- How does this poem by Madison Cawein fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Lovers by Edward Thomas
- Not To Keep by Robert Frost
- Why Should I Pine by Madison Cawein
- In November by Madison Cawein
- Rain And Wind by Madison Cawein
- The Spring And The Fall by Edna St Vincent Millay
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Literary Fiction — The themes of homecoming, nostalgia, and familial relationships are explored with depth and emotional resonance.
- Romanticism — The poem emphasizes emotion, nature, and individual experience, aligning with Romantic literary ideals.
- War Literature — The narrative includes the return of a soldier from war, highlighting themes of conflict and reunion.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Family · Home · Nostalgia · Longing · Loss · Memory · Emotion · Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor