Last Days by Madison Cawein (1916)
The poem explores themes of loss, grief, and the passage of time through vivid imagery and emotional depth. The speaker expresses profound sorrow over a personal tragedy, reflecting on the desolation of nature that mirrors their inner turmoil. The landscape is depicted as a reflection of heartbreak, with references to the "tattered hills" and "mourning of the raining sky," suggesting a connection between the speaker's emotional state and the natural world. The speaker laments the loss of a cherished loved one, feeling robbed of joy and vitality. The imagery of "hail-big clouds" and "brutal wind" conveys a sense of turmoil and chaos, emphasizing the intensity of their grief. The speaker's heart, described as gray, contrasts with the warmth of memories, highlighting the duality of joy and sorrow. As the poem progresses, the speaker grapples with the permanence of loss, questioning the reasons behind their suffering. The mention of a "thief" symbolizes the abruptness of death and the feeling of being left impoverished by the absence of a loved one. The natural elements—trampled twigs, mired leaves, and sobbing rain—serve as metaphors for the speaker's unrelenting grief. The final lines evoke a poignant image of a child, underscoring the depth of the speaker's sorrow. The "childless skies" and the farewell that is both said and unsaid reflect the haunting nature of loss, where memories linger painfully. The poem encapsulates the struggle to reconcile with grief while acknowledging the beauty and transience of life. Through its rich imagery and emotional resonance, the work captures the essence of mourning and the indelible impact of love lost.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1916 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 231 words
First lines
Aye! heartbreak of the tattered hills, And mourning of the raining sky! Heartbreak and mourning, since God wills, Are mine, and God knows why!
The brutal wind that herds the storm In hail-big clouds that freeze along, As this gray heart are doubly warm With thrice the joy of song.
I held one dearer than each day Of life God sets in limpid gold -- What thief hath stole that gem away To leave me poor and old!
The heartbreak of the hills be mine, Of trampled twig and mired leaf, Of rain that sobs through thorn and pine An unavailing grief!
What this Textopian page supports
Last Days is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1916 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: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy, Nature Poetry, Symbolism
- Length: 231 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Last Days by Madison Cawein
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work expresses deep personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and individual experience align with Romantic literary ideals.
- Elegy — The poem mourns loss and expresses grief, fitting the characteristics of an elegy.
- Nature Poetry — The vivid imagery of the natural world reflects the emotional state of the speaker.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Symbolism · Nature · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Psychology · Death · Loss · Grief · Isolation