Witnesses by Madison Cawein (1902)
The work explores themes of love, perception, and the transformative power of beauty. The speaker addresses a beloved who doubts their affection. Through a series of reflections, the speaker articulates how encounters with the beloved evoke profound emotional responses and elevate their experience of the world. In the first section, the speaker describes how gazing at the beloved's face imbues their surroundings with an otherworldly beauty, suggesting that love transcends the mundane. The second section emphasizes the impact of the beloved's voice, which resonates within the speaker, creating a sense of harmony amidst life's discord. The final section conveys the lingering presence of the beloved's essence, symbolized by a sweet fragrance that accompanies the speaker even in sorrowful environments, evoking dreams of renewal and beauty. Overall, the work captures the essence of love as a powerful force that enhances perception and infuses life with meaning, despite the beloved's doubts. The speaker's insistence on their love is underscored by vivid imagery and emotional depth, illustrating the profound connection between love and the experience of reality.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism · 245 words
First lines
I. You say I do not love you! -- Tell me why, When I have gazed a little on your face, And then gone forth into the world of men, A beauty, neither of the Earth or Sky, A glamour, that transforms each common place, Attends my spirit then?
II. You say I do not love you! -- Yet I know When I have heard you speak and dwelt upon Your words awhile, my heart has gone away Filled with strange music, very soft and low, A dim companion, touching with sweet tone The discords of the day.
What this Textopian page supports
Witnesses 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, Symbolism, Love Poetry, Imagism
- Length: 245 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Witnesses by Madison Cawein
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Witnesses?
- How does this poem by Madison Cawein fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by its emotional expression and personal reflection, typical of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, beauty, and nature align with the ideals of Romanticism.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and metaphor to convey deeper meanings reflects Symbolist influences.
- Love Poetry — The central theme revolves around love and longing, making it a prime example of love poetry.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · Fate