Snow by Madison Cawein (1908)
The poem presents a vivid winter landscape, characterized by stark contrasts and a sense of desolation. The imagery evokes a cold, silent world where the moon hangs in a frozen sky, illuminating the scene with a ghostly light. The wind is subdued, creating an atmosphere of stillness, while the waters are described as being encased in frost, emphasizing the harshness of the season. The fields, described as "winter-starved," suggest a barren and lifeless expanse, while the "black woods" convey a sense of foreboding and darkness. The use of phrases like "cold, harsh as a face death-carved" introduces a somber tone, hinting at themes of mortality and despair. The juxtaposition of the serene moonlight against the bleakness of the landscape creates a haunting beauty, reflecting the duality of nature in winter. As the poem progresses, it delves deeper into the emotional resonance of the winter scene. The imagery becomes more intense, with the coldness personified as a harsh, unyielding force. The starkness of the environment mirrors inner turmoil, suggesting a connection between the external world and the speaker's internal state. The poem captures the essence of winter not just as a season, but as a metaphor for isolation and introspection. The final lines reinforce the overarching themes of desolation and contemplation. The imagery of the last snow-cloud dissipating signifies a transition, perhaps hinting at the inevitability of change, even in the coldest of times. The poem ultimately encapsulates the beauty and brutality of winter, inviting reflection on the interplay between nature and human emotion.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1908 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism · 112 words
First lines
The moon, like a round device On a shadowy shield of war, Hangs white in a heaven of ice With a solitary star.
The wind is sunk to a sigh, And the waters are stern with frost; And gray, in the eastern sky, The last snow-cloud is lost.
White fields, that are winter-starved, Black woods, that are winter-fraught, Cold, harsh as a face death-carved With the iron of some black thought.
What this Textopian page supports
Snow is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism, Symbolism, Lyric
- Length: 112 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Snow 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 Snow?
- 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
- Mid Winter by Madison Cawein
- A Twilight Moth by Madison Cawein
- October by Madison Cawein
- Frost by Madison Cawein
- Sunset by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Rain by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing poetic devices and structure.
- Nature — The themes revolve around winter, snow, and the natural landscape.
- Romanticism — The imagery and emotional depth reflect Romantic ideals, focusing on nature and human emotion.
- Symbolism — The use of snow and winter imagery symbolizes deeper themes of isolation and contemplation.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Winter · Seasonal · Symbolism · Imagery · Language · Figurative · Metaphor · Simile · Personification · Alliteration