Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BEFORE THE RAIN, by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN Poet's Biography First Line: Before the rain, low in the obscure east Last Line: And all night long I heard the heavens explain. | ||||||||
BEFORE the rain, low in the obscure east, Weak and morose the moon hung, sickly gray; Around its disc the storm mists, cracked and creased, Wove an enormous web, wherein it lay Like some white spider hungry for its prey. Vindictive looked the scowling firmament, In which each star, that flashed a dagger ray, Seemed filled with malice of some dark intent. The marsh-frog croaked; and underneath the stone The peevish cricket raised a creaking cry. Within the world these sounds were heard alone, Save when the ruffian wind swept from the sky, Making each tree like some sad spirit sigh; Or shook the clumsy beetle from its weed, That, in the drowsy darkness, bungling by, Sharded the silence with its feverish speed. Slowly the tempest gathered. Hours passed Before was heard the thunder's sullen drum Rumbling night's hollow; and the Earth at last, Restless with waiting,--like a woman, dumb With doubting of the love that should have clomb Her casement hours ago,---avowed again, 'Mid protestations, joy that he had come. And all night long I heard the Heavens explain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A COIGN OF THE FOREST by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN A DREAM SHAPE by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN A FALLEN BEECH by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN A FLOWER OF THE FIELDS by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN A NIGHT IN JUNE by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN A SLEET-STORM IN MAY by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN A TWILIGHT MOTH by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN ADVENTURERS by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN AFTER RAIN by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN ALONG THE OHIO by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN |
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