To Sorrow by Madison Cawein (1907)
The poem explores the theme of sorrow as a complex and multifaceted emotion, personified as a goddess. It begins by addressing this figure, depicting her as a lonely watcher over the suffering and death in the world. The imagery evokes a sense of mourning and the weight of grief, suggesting that sorrow is both a powerful and gentle force. In the subsequent sections, the poem contrasts sorrow with the beauty of nature, particularly spring. The speaker invites sorrow to intertwine with the beauty of blooming flowers and the vibrant colors of spring, suggesting that grief and beauty coexist. The imagery of snowdrops and crocuses highlights the fragility of life and the bittersweet nature of existence. The poem continues to explore the relationship between sorrow and the natural world, depicting scenes of tranquility and reflection. The speaker envisions sitting with spring, where the mingling of grief and joy is portrayed as essential to the human experience. The interplay of light and darkness, calm and storm, emphasizes the duality of emotions. In the final sections, the poem invites sorrow to find solace in serene landscapes, such as a mountain lake at twilight. The imagery of nature serves as a backdrop for the contemplation of grief, suggesting that sorrow can find peace in the beauty of the world. The nightingale's song symbolizes the connection between sorrow and the deeper, often unspoken, aspects of life. Overall, the work presents sorrow as an integral part of existence, intertwined with beauty and nature, and encourages a recognition of its place in the human experience.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1907 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 610 words
First lines
I. O tear-eyed goddess of the marble brow, Who showerest snows of tresses on the night Of anguished temples! lonely watcher, thou Who bendest o'er the couch of life's dead light! Who in the hollow hours of night's noon Rockest the cradle of the child, Whose fever-blooded eyeballs seek the moon To cool their pulses wild. Thou who dost stoop to kiss a sister's cheek, Which rules the alabastar death with youth; Thou who art mad and strangely meek, -- Empress of passions, couth, uncouth, We kneel to thee!
What this Textopian page supports
To Sorrow 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, Elegy, Nature Poetry, Symbolism
- Length: 610 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- When Coldness Wraps This Suffering Clay by Lord Byron
- A Poor Torn Heart A Tattered Heart by Emily Dickinson
- Touches by Madison Cawein
- Mist In The Valley by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Away Away Ye Notes Of Woe by Lord Byron
- Requiem by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses deep emotions and personal reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature, emotion, and individual experience align with Romantic ideals.
- Elegy — The focus on sorrow and loss suggests elements of an elegy, mourning for what is lost.
- Nature Poetry — The vivid imagery of nature throughout the poem highlights the connection between human emotion and the natural world.
Tags
Poetry · Mourning · Loss · Grief · Sorrow · Melancholy · Longing · Yearning · Pain · Heartache · Despair · Isolation