Unutterable by Madison Cawein (1902)
The poem explores themes of sorrow, loss, and the haunting presence of memories. The speaker is enveloped in a melancholic atmosphere, personified by the wind, which carries a sense of mourning. The imagery evokes a landscape where nature reflects inner turmoil, with the wind described as a penitent figure, suggesting a deep, almost spiritual lamentation. As the poem progresses, the speaker encounters Superstition, depicted as a ghostly presence that seeks to communicate through the rustling of curtains. This figure embodies the lingering effects of past experiences and the inability to escape from them. The coldness of the ghostly lips symbolizes the chilling nature of unresolved grief and the desire for connection, even in its most spectral form. The interplay between the natural world and the speaker's emotional state creates a vivid backdrop for the exploration of unexpressed feelings. The use of sound and movement in the poem enhances the sense of unease and longing, as the speaker grapples with the weight of sorrow that permeates the night. Throughout the work, the tension between the tangible and the intangible is palpable. The speaker's reflections on the wind and the supernatural elements serve to illustrate the complexity of human emotions, particularly in relation to loss and the passage of time. The poem ultimately conveys a profound sense of yearning for understanding and closure, while acknowledging the inescapable nature of grief.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic · 105 words
First lines
There is a sorrow in the wind to-night That haunteth me; she, like a penitent, Heaps on rent hairs the snow's thin ashes white And moans and moans, her swaying body bent.
And Superstition gliding softly shakes With wasted hands, that vainly grope and seek, The rustling curtains; of each cranny makes Cold, ghostly lips that wailing fain would speak.
What this Textopian page supports
Unutterable 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, Gothic, Symbolism, Nature Poetry
- Length: 105 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Wind by Madison Cawein
- The Willow Bottom by Madison Cawein
- The Hills by Madison Cawein
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- The Valleys Singing Day by Robert Frost
- In The Lane by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work exhibits strong emotional expression and personal reflection typical of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and the supernatural align with Romantic ideals.
- Gothic — The presence of sorrow, superstition, and ghostly imagery suggests Gothic elements.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols to convey deeper meanings is evident in the imagery and themes.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Mystery · Symbolism · Imagery · Emotion · Sensuality · Romance · Fantasy · Dreamlike · Atmosphere · Tone