Revisited by Madison Cawein (1902)
The poem explores themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time through a haunting encounter on an old mill-bridge. The speaker reflects on a past meeting with a beloved, now transformed into a ghostly figure. The setting is characterized by a waning moon and desolate woods, creating an atmosphere of melancholy and nostalgia. As the speaker approaches, he initially perceives the figure as a mere mist, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of memories. The imagery evokes a sense of longing, as the presence of the beloved is intertwined with the natural elements—autumn mist, shimmering thistles, and fairy-fire—suggesting that her essence lingers in the environment. The contrast between past joy and present sorrow is stark. The beloved, once vibrant and welcoming, now appears distant and unrecognizing, embodying the pain of unreciprocated feelings and the inevitability of change. The speaker's heartache is palpable as he grapples with the reality of her absence, emphasizing the theme of unfulfilled love. Ultimately, the encounter serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of relationships and the haunting quality of memories that persist even as time moves forward. The poem encapsulates the bittersweet essence of revisiting moments that can never be reclaimed, leaving the speaker in a state of reflective sorrow.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic · 250 words
First lines
It was beneath a waning moon when all the woods were sear, And winds made eddies of the leaves that whispered far and near, I met her on the old mill-bridge we parted at last year.
At first I deemed it but a mist that faltered in that place, An autumn mist beneath the trees that sentineled the race; Until I neared and in the moon beheld her face to face.
The waver of the summer-heat upon the drouth-dry leas; The shimmer of the thistle-drift a down the silences; The gliding of the fairy-fire between the swamp and trees;
They qualified her presence as a sorrow may a dream -- The vague suggestion of a self; the glimmer of a gleam; The actual unreal of the things that only seem.
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Revisited is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1902 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Madison Cawein
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic, Lyric, Nature Writing
- Length: 250 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, utilizing rhythm and imagery typical of poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and the supernatural reflect the characteristics of Romantic literature.
- Gothic — The presence of a ghost and a melancholic atmosphere aligns with Gothic elements.
- Lyric — The personal expression of feelings and thoughts indicates a lyric quality.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Romance · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Personification · Alliteration · Assonance · Consonance · Enjambment · Free Verse