Unrequited by Madison Cawein (1902)
The poem explores the theme of unrequited love through vivid imagery and emotional reflection. The speaker expresses deep feelings for a girl who remains indifferent to his affections. He describes her beauty and purity, contrasting it with his own longing and despair. The speaker's passion is met with silence, as she does not reciprocate his feelings, leaving him in a state of heartache. The imagery of nature is prevalent, with comparisons drawn between the girl's beauty and serene elements like a clear October pool and a wildflower. These metaphors emphasize the disconnect between the speaker's intense emotions and the girl's lack of awareness or response. The speaker feels as though he is pouring his heart into a void, as she remains untouched by his love. The poem captures the essence of longing and the pain of unreciprocated feelings, illustrating how one can be deeply affected by love while the object of that affection remains oblivious. The juxtaposition of the speaker's emotional turmoil against the girl's serene indifference creates a poignant exploration of love's complexities. The final lines reinforce the idea that beauty and love can exist independently of one another, highlighting the tragic nature of unrequited love.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 225 words
First lines
/ Passion? not hers! who held me with pure eyes: / One hand among the deep curls of her brow, / I drank the girlhood of her gaze with sighs: / She never sighed, nor gave me kiss or vow.
/ So have I seen a clear October pool, / Cold, liquid topaz, set within the sere / Gold of the woodland, tremorless and cool, / Reflecting all the heartbreak of the year.
/ Sweetheart? not she! whose voice was music-sweet; / Whose face loaned language to melodious prayer. / Sweetheart I called her. -- When did she repeat / Sweet to one hope, or heart to one despair!
Similar titles
- What Lips My Lips Have Kissed by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget by Edna St Vincent Millay
- To The Not Impossible Him by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Sweeter Was Loss by Edna St Vincent Millay
- She Had Forgotten by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Not With Libations by Edna St Vincent Millay
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure to convey emotions and themes.
- Romanticism — The themes of unrequited love and nature reflect the ideals of Romanticism, focusing on emotion and individual experience.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Melancholy — The tone and themes of heartbreak and longing contribute to a melancholic atmosphere.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Love · Heartbreak · Longing · Pain · Sorrow · Loss · Yearning · Desire · Unfulfilled · Melancholy
What this Textopian page supports
Unrequited 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: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Melancholy, Nature
- Length: 225 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Unrequited 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