The Picture by Madison Cawein (1907)
The poem presents a vivid and idyllic scene, capturing the essence of beauty and nostalgia through the imagery of nature and a young woman. The setting is a lush garden, adorned with vibrant flowers and a picturesque sky, symbolizing the harmony between humanity and nature. The protagonist, a young woman, embodies the purity and innocence of youth, standing amidst the floral splendor, representing love and dreams. The speaker reflects on the serene atmosphere, where the sounds of distant church bells and the colors of the sunset create a tranquil backdrop. The woman is portrayed as a symbol of untainted beauty, untouched by the hardships of life, evoking a sense of longing and admiration. The speaker expresses a desire to preserve this image, likening it to poetry that elevates the mundane aspects of life. The poem explores themes of idealized love, the passage of time, and the contrast between reality and memory. The speaker acknowledges that the woman may remain an unattainable ideal, suggesting that their potential meeting could alter the purity of the image. Ultimately, the work encapsulates the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, where the beauty of a moment is cherished, yet remains forever out of reach.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1907 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Imagism · 405 words
First lines
Above her, pearl and rose the heavens lay: Around her, flowers flattered earth with gold, Or down the path in insolence held sway -- Like cavaliers who ride the king's highway -- Scarlet and buff, within a garden old.
Beyond the hills, faint-heard through belts of wood, Bells, Sabbath-sweet, swooned from some far-off town: Gamboge and gold, broad sunset colors strewed The purple west as if, with God imbued, Her mighty palette Nature there laid down.
What this Textopian page supports
The Picture is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1907 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: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Imagism, Nature Poetry, Nostalgic Poetry
- Length: 405 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Picture 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 Picture?
- How does this poem by Madison Cawein fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- My Suit by Madison Cawein
- Deluge by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- The Woman by Madison Cawein
- Through The Green Forest by Edna St Vincent Millay
- She Let Them Leave Their Jellies by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Sea At Sunset Can Reflect by Edna St Vincent Millay
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, focusing on beauty and nostalgia, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature, beauty, and idealized love align with the principles of Romanticism.
- Imagism — The vivid imagery and focus on visual details reflect the characteristics of Imagism.
- Nature Poetry — The poem extensively describes natural elements and their beauty, fitting the nature poetry genre.
Tags
Poetry · Literary Fiction · Symbolism · Imagery · Figurative Language · Metaphor · Simile · Personification · Alliteration · Assonance · Consonance · Enjambment