The Old Spring by Madison Cawein
The poem reflects on the beauty and nostalgia of a spring in the woods, evoking vivid imagery of nature. The speaker recalls a serene, idyllic place where a spring flows gently, surrounded by flora and fauna. The description includes elements like the rose, newts, and bees, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The spring is personified with qualities of music and fragrance, likened to a Naiad, a water nymph, enhancing its enchanting allure. The imagery suggests a connection between the natural world and the speaker's memories of boyhood, emphasizing a sense of innocence and wonder. As the poem progresses, the speaker acknowledges the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Despite the enduring beauty of the spring, there is a poignant realization that the speaker will never return to experience it again. The final stanzas convey a sense of loss and longing, as the speaker reflects on the permanence of memory contrasted with the transience of life. The work encapsulates themes of nostalgia, the beauty of nature, and the bittersweet nature of reminiscence.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romanticism · 276 words
First lines
/ I. Under rocks whereon the rose / Like a streak of morning glows; / Where the azure-throated newt / Drowses on the twisted root; / And the brown bees, humming homeward, / Stop to suck the honeydew; / Fern- and leaf-hid, gleaming gloamward, / Drips the wildwood spring I knew, / Drips the spring my boyhood knew.
/ II. Myrrh and music everywhere / Haunt its cascades -- like the hair / That a Naiad tosses cool, / Swimming strangely beautiful, / With white fragrance for her bosom, / And her mouth a breath of song -- / Under leaf and branch and blossom / Flows the woodland spring along, / Sparkling, singing flows along.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Spring 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, Nature Poetry, Romanticism, Pastoral Poetry, Nostalgic Poetry
- Length: 276 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for The Old Spring by Madison Cawein
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Similar titles
- The Brush Sparrow by Madison Cawein
- The Whippoorwill by Madison Cawein
- A Prayer In Spring by Robert Frost
- Wood Notes by Madison Cawein
- Reed Call For April by Madison Cawein
- Field And Forest Call by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by its musical quality, emotional expression, and focus on nature, typical of lyric poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The poem vividly describes natural elements and landscapes, emphasizing the beauty and tranquility of the natural world.
- Romanticism — The themes of nostalgia, beauty, and a deep connection to nature align with Romantic literary ideals.
- Pastoral Poetry — The poem reflects pastoral themes, depicting rural life and the idyllic qualities of nature.
Tags
Nature Poetry · Spring Imagery · Seasonal Themes · Poetic Form · Free Verse · Imagism · Symbolism · Rural Setting · Farmland · Agriculture · Cycles of Life · Growth and Decay