“Madness” by Adelaide Crapsey is a powerful, introspective poem that delves into the chaos of a disturbed mind. Known for her concise yet evocative style, Crapsey captures the raw intensity of mental turmoil within just a few lines. The poem reflects her own struggles with illness and isolation, embodying the fear of losing control over one’s thoughts. Her use of sharp, fragmented imagery mirrors the fractured state of a troubled mind, creating a haunting sense of unease. In its brevity, “Madness” stands as a testament to Crapsey’s ability to evoke deep emotion with economy.
This was probably born out of her love of the Japanese “tanka and haiku” forms of writing. It’s a kind of compressed style of writing that had many admirers including another famous writer, Ezra Pound.
Madness by Adelaide Crapsey
Burdock,
Blue aconite,
And thistle and thorn. .of these
Singing I wreathe my pretty wreath
O’death.
