'Variation On The Word Sleep' by Margaret Atwood

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I would like to watch you sleeping,
which may not happen.
I would like to watch you,
sleeping. I would like to sleep
with you, to enter
your sleep as its smooth dark wave
slides over my headand walk with you through that lucent
wavering forest of bluegreen leaves
with its watery sun & three moons
towards the cave where you must descend,
towards your worst fearI would like to give you the silver
branch, the small white flower, the one
word that will protect you
from the grief at the center
of your dream, from the grief
at the center I would like to follow
you up the long stairway
again & become
the boat that would row you back
carefully, a flame
in two cupped hands
to where your body lies
beside me, and as you enter
it as easily as breathing inI would like to be the air
that inhabits you for a moment
only. I would like to be that unnoticed
& that necessary.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Dreamy Interpretation of Margaret Atwood's "Variation On The Word Sleep"

Margaret Atwood's "Variation On The Word Sleep" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the theme of love and its connection with sleep. The poem, consisting of four stanzas, is a powerful portrayal of the deep emotional bond between two lovers, and how sleep acts as a metaphor for that bond. Atwood's use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and powerful metaphors, along with her masterful use of language, combine to create a poetic masterpiece that is both moving and thought-provoking.

The Poem

Before delving into an interpretation of the poem, let us first take a look at the poem itself.

I would like to watch you sleeping,
which may not happen.
I would like to watch you,
sleeping. I would like to sleep
with you, to enter
your sleep as its smooth dark wave
slides over my head
and walk with you through that lucent
wavering forest of bluegreen leaves
with its watery sun & three moons
towards the cave where you must descend,
towards your worst fear
I would like to give you the silver
branch, the small white flower, the one
word that will protect you
from the grief at the center
of your dream, from the grief
at the center. I would like to follow
you up the long stairway
again & become
the boat that would row you back
carefully, a flame
in two cupped hands
to where your body lies
beside me, and you enter
it as easily as breathing in
I would like to be the air
that inhabits you for a moment
only. I would like to be that unnoticed
& that necessary.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing her desire to watch her lover sleeping. The use of the word "watch" here is significant, as it suggests a sense of wonder and reverence. The speaker then goes on to express her desire to "sleep with" her lover, and to "enter" her lover's sleep. As the poem progresses, the imagery becomes more and more dreamlike, with the speaker envisioning a "wavering forest of bluegreen leaves" and "watery sun & three moons". The use of the word "lucent" here is particularly effective, as it implies a sense of otherworldliness and magic.

The poem then takes a darker turn, with the speaker expressing her desire to protect her lover from the "grief at the center of your dream". The use of repetition here is particularly powerful, as it underscores the speaker's deep desire to shield her lover from pain. The poem then ends on a hopeful note, with the speaker expressing her desire to "be the air that inhabits you for a moment only" – an image that suggests a sense of intimacy and closeness.

Interpretation

There are many different ways to interpret "Variation On The Word Sleep", but one possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of love and its connection with sleep. The speaker's desire to "watch" her lover sleeping suggests a sense of awe and reverence, as if sleep is a sacred state that allows her to see her lover in a new light. The speaker's desire to "enter" her lover's sleep suggests a deep desire for intimacy and connection – a desire to be so close to her lover that she can literally inhabit her lover's dreams.

The imagery in the poem is particularly effective in conveying this sense of intimacy and connection. The "wavering forest of bluegreen leaves" suggests a dreamlike state, while the "watery sun & three moons" suggest a sense of otherworldliness and magic. The use of the word "lucent" underscores this sense of magic, as if the forest and the sun and moons are made of something ethereal and otherworldly.

The darker turn the poem takes towards the end suggests that love is not always easy, and that there are dangers and pitfalls that need to be avoided. The speaker's desire to "protect" her lover from the "grief at the center of your dream" suggests a deep sense of empathy and understanding, as if the speaker knows her lover's pain and wants to shield her from it. The repetition of the phrase "from the grief at the center" underscores the speaker's deep desire to protect her lover from pain.

The final image in the poem – the speaker's desire to "be the air that inhabits you for a moment only" – suggests a sense of intimacy and connection that is both fleeting and profound. The use of the word "inhabits" is particularly effective here, as it suggests a sense of deep connection and closeness. The fact that this connection is only temporary underscores the ephemeral nature of love, and the fact that it must be cherished and savored while it lasts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Margaret Atwood's "Variation On The Word Sleep" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the nature of love and its connection with sleep. The poem's vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and masterful use of language combine to create a poetic masterpiece that is both dreamlike and thought-provoking. Whether read as a meditation on the nature of love or a celebration of the power of sleep, "Variation On The Word Sleep" is a poem that will stay with the reader long after the last line has been read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Variation On The Word Sleep: An Analysis

Margaret Atwood's "Variation On The Word Sleep" is a classic poem that explores the complexities of love and the human experience. The poem is a beautiful and haunting meditation on the power of language and the ways in which words can shape our understanding of the world around us. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as the literary devices used by Atwood to create a powerful and evocative work of art.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing a lover, using the word "sleep" as a metaphor for the act of making love. The speaker says, "I would like to watch you sleeping, / which may not happen." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of longing and desire. The speaker is expressing a desire to be close to the lover, to observe them in a state of vulnerability and intimacy.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to explore the different meanings and connotations of the word "sleep." They say, "I would like to be the air / that inhabits you for a moment / only. I would like to be that unnoticed / and that necessary." Here, the speaker is using the word "sleep" to represent a state of being in which one is completely vulnerable and open. The speaker wants to be a part of this state, to be intimately connected to the lover in a way that is both unnoticed and necessary.

Throughout the poem, Atwood uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of depth and complexity. One of the most striking of these is the use of repetition. The word "sleep" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and musicality. This repetition also serves to reinforce the central theme of the poem, which is the power of language and the ways in which words can shape our understanding of the world.

Another literary device used by Atwood is metaphor. The word "sleep" is used as a metaphor for intimacy and vulnerability, as well as for the act of making love. This metaphor is extended throughout the poem, with the speaker exploring the different meanings and connotations of the word. By using metaphor in this way, Atwood is able to create a rich and complex tapestry of meaning that resonates with readers on a deep emotional level.

The poem also contains a number of powerful images that serve to reinforce the central themes and motifs. For example, the speaker says, "I would like to be the sheet / on which you sleep and dream / and I never find." This image of the lover as a sheet is both intimate and evocative, creating a sense of closeness and connection between the speaker and the lover. Similarly, the image of the lover as a dream reinforces the idea of vulnerability and openness, as well as the power of language to shape our understanding of the world.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which it explores the complexities of love and desire. The speaker is expressing a deep longing for the lover, a desire to be intimately connected to them in a way that is both physical and emotional. At the same time, however, there is a sense of distance and separation between the two, as evidenced by the line, "which may not happen." This tension between closeness and distance is a central theme of the poem, and is something that many readers will be able to relate to on a personal level.

In conclusion, Margaret Atwood's "Variation On The Word Sleep" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexities of love and the human experience. Through the use of metaphor, repetition, and powerful imagery, Atwood is able to create a rich and complex tapestry of meaning that resonates with readers on a deep emotional level. Whether read as a meditation on the power of language or as a love poem, "Variation On The Word Sleep" is a work of art that will continue to captivate and inspire readers for generations to come.

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