The Dead Day by Madison Cawein
The poem explores the transition from day to night, personifying the day as a deceased king, celebrated and mourned. The imagery evokes a sense of reverence and beauty in the twilight, where the day is laid to rest in a grand sepulcher made of clouds and gold. The new moon acts as a censer, symbolizing the sacredness of this moment, while stars emerge like a celestial choir, enhancing the solemnity of the scene. As night approaches, it is depicted as a serene nun, calm and fair, kneeling in prayer at the feet of the dead day. This personification emphasizes the tranquility and introspection that night brings, contrasting with the vibrancy of the day. The poem captures the essence of love and longing, suggesting that in the stillness of night, one can connect with deeper emotions and the mystical aspects of existence. The themes of mortality, beauty, and the cyclical nature of time are woven throughout, inviting reflection on the transient nature of life and the profound experiences that accompany its passage. The imagery of dew, fragrance, and the ethereal quality of night evokes a sense of nostalgia and reverence for what has passed, while also hinting at the promise of renewal with the coming dawn.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism · 194 words
Editions
First lines
/ The west builds high a sepulcher / Of cloudy granite and of gold, / Where twilight's priestly hours inter / The Day like some great king of old.
/ A censer, rimmed with silver fire, / The new moon swings above his tomb; / While, organ-stops of God's own choir, / Star after star throbs in the gloom.
/ And Night draws near, the sadly sweet -- / A nun whose face is calm and fair -- / And kneeling at the dead Day's feet / Her soul goes up in mists like prayer.
/ In prayer, we feel through dewy gleam / And flowery fragrance, and -- above / All earth -- the ecstasy and dream / That haunt the mystic heart of love.
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem's focus on emotional expression and musicality aligns it closely with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and the sublime reflect the ideals of the Romantic movement.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and metaphor to convey deeper meanings aligns with Symbolist poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The poem's vivid descriptions of natural elements emphasize the connection between nature and human emotion.
Tags
Poetry · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Short Story Collection · Mystery · Thriller · Psychological Thriller · Gothic Fiction · Horror · Supernatural · Paranormal
What this Textopian page supports
The Dead Day 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: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Nature Poetry, Spiritual Poetry
- Length: 194 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Dead Day by Madison Cawein
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