Chimes by Adelaide Crapsey is a beautifully crafted poem that captures the fleeting nature of time and the gentle, melodic echo of life’s moments. Known for her invention of the cinquain form, Crapsey uses this brief yet impactful structure to convey a sense of passing time. The poem’s concise lines and carefully chosen words reflect the rhythmic, resonant sound of chimes, evoking both serenity and transience. This work showcases Crapsey’s talent for blending sound, imagery, and emotion, creating a powerful reflection on the impermanence of life and the beauty found within it.
Chimes by Adelaide Crapsey
The rose new-opening saith,
And the dew of the morning saith,
(Fallen leaves and vanished dew)
Remember death.
Ding dong bell
Ding dong bell
May-moon thin and young
In the sky,
Ere you wax and wane
I shall die;
So my faltering breath,
So my tired heart saith,
That foretell me death.
Ding-dong
Ding-dong
Ding-dong ding-dong bell
“Thy gold hair likes me well
And thy blue eyes,” he saith,
Who chooses where he will
And none may hinder — Death.
At head and feet for candles
Roses burning red,
The valley lilies tolling
For the early dead:
Ding-dong ding-dong
Ding-dong ding-dong
Ding-dong ding-dong bell
Ding-dong bell
