Song by Madison Cawein (1904)

Name: Song
Author: Madison Cawein

The poem explores the theme of artistic struggle and the burdens that accompany the pursuit of beauty and expression. It presents a metaphorical "House of Song," a place where the artist confronts despair, scorn, and the harsh realities of creativity. The entrance signifies a transition into a realm devoid of comfort, where the artist is met with symbols of anguish and unfulfilled desires. The imagery of the "chiselled form of Love" and the "tomb of Beauty" suggests that the ideals of love and beauty are unattainable, serving as reminders of what has been lost. The artist is portrayed as a figure who must endure suffering and sacrifice, with the expectation that their efforts will ultimately lead to recognition and immortality in the form of fame. The poem emphasizes the loneliness and isolation inherent in the creative process, where the artist's soul is denied solace. The absence of "poppyflowers of Rest" and "harp-tones of serene Content" highlights the relentless nature of artistic ambition, where only the echoes of past inspirations linger. The artist's journey is marked by a struggle against time and the weight of history, as they carve their name into the annals of art, often at the cost of personal fulfillment. Ultimately, the work reflects on the paradox of artistic creation: the pursuit of beauty and expression is fraught with pain and sacrifice, yet it is this very struggle that defines the artist's existence and legacy. The poem serves as a meditation on the complexities of creativity, the inevitability of suffering, and the quest for meaning in the face of adversity.

By Madison Cawein · First published 1904 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism · 209 words

First lines

Unto the portal of the House of Song, Symbols of wrong and emblems of unrest, And mottoes of despair and envious jest, And stony masks of scorn and hate belong.

Who enters here shall feel his soul denied All welcome: lo! the chiselled form of Love, That stares in marble on the shrine above The tomb of Beauty, where he dreamed and died!

Who enters here shall know no poppyflowers Of Rest, or harp-tones of serene Content; Only sad ghosts of music and of scent Shall mock the mind with their remembered powers.

Here must he wait till striving patience carves His name upon the century-storied floor; His heart's blood staining one dim pane the more In Fame's high casement while he sings and starves.

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Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1904 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Madison Cawein
Date: 1904 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Elegy, Philosophical Poetry
Length: 209 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Romanticism — Themes of beauty, love, and despair align with Romantic ideals.
Symbolism — The use of symbols to convey deeper meanings and emotions is prevalent throughout the poem.
Elegy — The poem reflects on loss and the passage of time, common in elegiac works.