On the Road by Madison Cawein (1957)
The poem reflects on the journey of life, emphasizing the importance of love and companionship amidst the struggles and burdens faced along the way. It invites a moment of pause to appreciate the shared experiences and dreams of the speaker and their beloved. The imagery of a rugged road symbolizes the challenges encountered, while the notion of resting at a halfway point suggests a need for reflection and gratitude. The speaker encourages a departure from worldly desires, advocating for a return to simpler joys and the rekindling of youthful dreams. The act of lighting a fire and singing old songs serves as a metaphor for nostalgia and the power of memory to evoke past happiness. The elfin train represents the dreams and aspirations that have shaped their lives, now intertwined with the reality of unfulfilled ambitions. Ultimately, the poem underscores the value of love as a guiding force, providing solace and strength throughout life's journey. It calls for a celebration of the bond shared between the speaker and their companion, highlighting that love is the true treasure that enriches their experience, allowing them to navigate the complexities of existence together.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1957 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical Poetry · 346 words
First lines
/ Let us bid the world good-by, / Now while sun and cloud's above us, / While we've nothing to deny, / Nothing but our selves to love us: / Let us fancy, I and you, / All the dreams we dreamed came true.
/ We have gone but half the road, / Rugged road of root and bowlder; / Made the best of Life's dark load, / Cares, that helped us to grow older: / We, my dear, have done our best -- / Let us stop awhile and rest.
What this Textopian page supports
On the Road is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1957 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: 1957 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical Poetry, Nature Poetry, Reflective Poetry
- Length: 346 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for On the Road 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
Similar titles
- Journey by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Vagabonds by Madison Cawein
- Wayfarers by Joyce Kilmer
- A Vagabond Song by Bliss Carman
- Overseas by Madison Cawein
- The Lone Trail by Robert W. Service
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by its expressive language and emotional depth, typical of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, love, and introspection align with the Romantic movement's focus on individual experience and emotion.
- Philosophical Poetry — The poem explores existential themes and reflections on life, making it relevant to philosophical inquiry.
- Nature Poetry — Imagery related to the natural world is prevalent, emphasizing the connection between human experience and nature.
Tags
Road trip · Coming of age · Friendship · Adventure · Travel · Self-discovery · Freedom · Youth culture · Counterculture · Poetry · Prose · Autobiographical fiction