The Cross by Madison Cawein (1908)
The poem explores themes of personal suffering, isolation, and existential despair. The speaker expresses a profound sense of burden, symbolized by a cross that remains unshared and unacknowledged by others. This weight of sorrow is compounded by a feeling of hopelessness, as the speaker navigates a life filled with disappointment and scorn, contrasting their struggles with the apparent ease of others. The imagery of a thorny path and a steep hill signifies the arduous journey of life, marked by care and sorrow. The speaker feels trapped in a cycle of striving without reward, leading to a bleak outlook on both the past and future. The reflection on life’s transience reveals a deep-seated yearning for release from suffering, culminating in a desire for death as an escape from the relentless pursuit of unattainable aspirations. The poem captures the essence of human struggle against the weight of unfulfilled dreams and the solitude that often accompanies such burdens. The speaker's internal conflict between hope and despair highlights the universal nature of suffering, ultimately questioning the value of life when faced with overwhelming adversity.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1908 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Romanticism · 257 words
First lines
The cross I bear no man shall know -- No man can ease the cross I bear! -- Alas! the thorny path of woe Up the steep hill of care!
There is no word to comfort me; No sign to help my bended head; Deep night lies over land and sea, And silence dark and dread.
To strive, it seems, that I was born, For that which others shall obtain; The disappointment and the scorn Alone for me remain.
One half my life is overpast; The other half I contemplate -- Meseems the past doth but forecast A darker future state.
What this Textopian page supports
The Cross 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, Lyric, Romanticism, Existentialism, Melancholic Literature
- Length: 257 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Cross 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 Cross?
- 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
- Gethsemane by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- The Cross by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- The Martyrs by Emily Dickinson
- The Crucifixion by James Weldon Johnson
- And Forbid Them Not by Joyce Kilmer
- The Relic by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs poetic devices such as meter and rhyme.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, focusing on the speaker's inner struggles and feelings.
- Romanticism — The themes of individual suffering, nature, and introspection align with Romantic ideals.
- Existentialism — The exploration of despair, meaninglessness, and the human condition reflects existential themes.
Tags
Poetry · Christianity · Symbolism · Faith · Spirituality · Mortality · Afterlife · Hope · Despair · Redemption · Sacrifice · Love