In May by Madison Cawein (1902)
The work explores themes of love, nature, and the passage of time through a series of lyrical reflections. It begins with a nostalgic recollection of a shared experience in the hills during May, where the beauty of the natural world mirrors the speaker's feelings of affection. The imagery of birds singing and flowers blooming emphasizes the connection between love and the vibrant life of spring. As the poem progresses, the setting shifts to a brook, symbolizing the flow of time and the continuity of emotions. The speaker expresses a deep, abiding love that resonates with the environment, suggesting that nature itself echoes their sentiments. The repetition of "I love you" reinforces the intensity of these feelings, while the question of whether the beloved reciprocates adds a layer of uncertainty. In the final section, the speaker contemplates the future, acknowledging the unpredictability of fate. Regardless of whether their paths converge or diverge, the memories of their love will remain intertwined with the essence of May. The imagery of wildflowers and birds serves as a reminder of the enduring nature of true affection, suggesting that love transcends time and circumstance. Overall, the work captures the ephemeral beauty of spring and the lasting impact of love, intertwining personal emotion with the natural world in a poignant and evocative manner.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Poetry · 309 words
First lines
/ I. When you and I in the hills went Maying, / You and I in the bright May weather, / The birds, that sang on the boughs together, / There in the green of the woods, kept saying / All that my heart was saying low, / "I love you! love you! " soft and low, -- / And did you know? / When you and I in the hills went Maying.
/ II. There where the brook on its rocks went winking, / There by its banks where the May had led us, / Flowers, that bloomed in the woods and meadows, / Azure and gold at our feet, kept thinking / All that my soul was thinking there, / "I love you! love you! " softly there -- / And did you care? / There where the brook on its rocks went winking.
Similar titles
- May by Madison Cawein
- In Summer by Madison Cawein
- June by Madison Cawein
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- August by Madison Cawein
- September by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and feelings, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of love and nature reflect the ideals of Romanticism.
- Nature Poetry — The vivid imagery of nature and the setting in the woods highlight the connection to nature.
- Love Poetry — The central theme revolves around love and romantic feelings.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Spring · Seasonal · Mood · Atmosphere · Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor · Personification · Free Verse · Stream-of-Consciousness
What this Textopian page supports
In May 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, Love Poetry, Pastoral Poetry
- Length: 309 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for In May by Madison Cawein
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