The Broken Drouth by Madison Cawein
The poem depicts a forest on the brink of a storm, capturing the tension and anticipation in nature. The atmosphere is thick with an impending sense of dread, as dark clouds gather ominously above the hills. The stillness is palpable, suggesting a moment of pause before chaos ensues. As the storm approaches, the tranquility is shattered by the roar of the wind, likened to a tumultuous crowd. The rain begins to fall, initially in heavy drops that disrupt the dust, signaling the storm's arrival. The thunder rumbles in the distance, described as a slow, powerful presence, while lightning flashes violently, creating a sense of urgency and chaos. The imagery evokes a vivid transformation of the landscape, where the once calm forest is now alive with the sounds and sights of a fierce storm. The interplay of light and sound illustrates the raw power of nature, emphasizing both its beauty and its ferocity. The poem encapsulates the duality of the natural world, where moments of serenity can swiftly give way to tumultuous forces.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism · 206 words
First lines
It seemed the listening forest held its breath Before some vague and unapparent form Of fear, approaching with the wings of death, On the impending storm.
Above the hills, big, bellying clouds loomed, black And ominous, yet silent as the blue That pools calm heights of heaven, deepening back 'Twixt clouds of snowdrift hue.
Then instantly, as when a multitude Shout riot and war through some tumultuous town, Innumerable voices swept the wood As wild the wind rushed down.
And fierce and few, as when a strong man weeps, Great rain-drops dashed the dust; and, overhead, Ponderous and vast down the prodigious deeps, Went slow the thunder's tread.
What this Textopian page supports
The Broken Drouth is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1902 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: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism, Symbolism, Gothic
- Length: 206 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Broken Drouth 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 The Broken Drouth?
- 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
- The Broken Dike by Edna St Vincent Millay
- I Will Sing You One O by Robert Frost
- Rose Pogonias by Robert Frost
- If In The Foggy Aleutians by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Woodpath by Madison Cawein
- Fringed Gentian by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing meter and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Nature — The themes revolve around natural elements, particularly a storm and its impact on the environment.
- Romanticism — The vivid imagery and emotional depth reflect the ideals of Romantic literature.
- Symbolism — The use of natural phenomena as symbols for deeper emotional and existential themes is prevalent.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · Mythology · Folklore · Rural Life · Isolation · Loneliness · Longing