To Charlotte Cushman: A Poetic Tribute to Charlotte Cushman by Sidney Lanier

"A Dedication. To Charlotte Cushman" is a poem composed by Sidney Lanier in 1876, intended as a tribute to the renowned American actress Charlotte Cushman following her death. The poem was part of a larger project where Lanier was contracted to write a biography of Cushman, which was ultimately canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. In this poem, Lanier uses the metaphor of carving a beloved's name into a tree to symbolize the deep emotional imprint Cushman left on his heart. The poem reflects Lanier's struggle to encapsulate Cushman's grandeur within the confines of his verse, as he describes his tears falling while attempting to inscribe her name. The imagery of a wild-rose stem being too small for her large name conveys the inadequacy he feels in capturing her essence. Despite this, Lanier persists, hoping that any imperfections in his tribute might be attributed to external forces, like rain, or that they might release a soothing balm, symbolizing the healing power of his words. The poem was published in "Earliest Collected Poems" in 1876, and it remains a testament to Lanier's admiration for Cushman and his poetic prowess.