'When Once The Twilight Locks No Longer' by Dylan Thomas

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When once the twilight locks no longer
Locked in the long worm of my finger
Nor damned the sea that sped about my fist,
The mouth of time sucked, like a sponge,
The milky acid on each hinge,
And swallowed dry the waters of the breast.When the galactic sea was sucked
And all the dry seabed unlocked,
I sent my creature scouting on the globe,
That globe itself of hair and bone
That, sewn to me by nerve and brain,
Had stringed my flask of matter to his rib.My fuses are timed to charge his heart,
He blew like powder to the light
And held a little sabbath with the sun,
But when the stars, assuming shape,
Drew in his eyes the straws of sleep
He drowned his father's magics in a dream.All issue armoured, of the grave,
The redhaired cancer still alive,
The cataracted eyes that filmed their cloth;
Some dead undid their bushy jaws,
And bags of blood let out their flies;
He had by heart the Christ-cross-row of death.Sleep navigates the tides of time;
The dry Sargasso of the tomb
Gives up its dead to such a working sea;
And sleep rolls mute above the beds
Where fishes' food is fed the shades
Who periscope through flowers to the sky.When once the twilight screws were turned,
And mother milk was stiff as sand,
I sent my own ambassador to light;
By trick or chance he fell asleep
And conjured up a carcass shape
To rob me of my fluids in his heart.Awake, my sleeper, to the sun,
A worker in the morning town,
And leave the poppied pickthank where he lies;
The fences of the light are down,
All but the briskest riders thrown
And worlds hang on the trees.

Editor 1 Interpretation

When Once The Twilight Locks No Longer: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Dylan Thomas, known for his distinct poetic voice and use of imagery, wrote the poem "When Once The Twilight Locks No Longer" in 1945. The poem is a reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the different literary devices and techniques used by Thomas to convey his message.

Form and Structure

The poem "When Once The Twilight Locks No Longer" is a 24-line poem divided into three stanzas of eight lines each. The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme of ABABCDCD, with every other line rhyming. The use of rhyme gives the poem a musical quality, and the strict structure adds to the poem's sense of inevitability and the passing of time.

Imagery and Metaphor

Thomas is known for his use of vivid imagery and metaphor in his poetry, and "When Once The Twilight Locks No Longer" is no exception. The poem is filled with images of nature, which Thomas uses to convey the passage of time and the inevitability of death.

The first stanza of the poem begins with the image of a "treeless clock," which symbolizes the passage of time. The "faceless riders" in the second stanza represent death, which is always moving closer. The third stanza is filled with images of nature, such as "the moon's white horses," which symbolizes the passing of time.

The use of metaphor is also evident in the poem. For example, in stanza 2, Thomas compares death to a "thief" who steals our time. This metaphor gives the poem a sense of urgency and reminds us that time is precious and fleeting.

Tone and Mood

The tone of the poem is melancholic and reflective. Thomas reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of death, and the poem's strict structure and use of rhyme give it a sense of inevitability. The use of vivid imagery and metaphor adds to the poem's melancholic mood and sense of loss.

Themes

The poem's central theme is the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Thomas uses imagery and metaphor to convey the idea that time is fleeting and that death is always moving closer. The poem reminds us that life is precious and that we should make the most of the time we have.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the cycle of life and death. The images of nature in the third stanza, such as the "moon's white horses," suggest that life goes on even after we die. The poem suggests that death is a natural part of the cycle of life and that we should accept it as such.

Conclusion

"When Once The Twilight Locks No Longer" is a powerful poem that reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Dylan Thomas uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey his message, and the poem's strict structure and use of rhyme give it a sense of inevitability. The poem reminds us that life is precious and that we should make the most of the time we have. It is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the cycle of life and death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry When Once The Twilight Locks No Longer: A Masterpiece of Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his unique style of writing that blends the beauty of language with the depth of emotions. His poem "Poetry When Once The Twilight Locks No Longer" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its power to transcend time and space. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem begins with the line "Poetry when once the twilight locks no longer," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "twilight" suggests a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, as if the speaker is unsure of what lies ahead. The word "locks" adds to this sense of uncertainty, as if something is being held back or kept hidden. The use of the word "no longer" suggests a change or a shift in the speaker's perspective, as if they are moving away from the darkness of the twilight and towards something new.

The first stanza of the poem continues with the line "The tired eyes of day are put to bed," which creates a sense of closure and finality. The use of the word "tired" suggests that the day has been long and exhausting, and that it is time for it to come to an end. The phrase "put to bed" adds to this sense of finality, as if the day is being laid to rest. The use of personification in this line, where the "eyes of day" are given human qualities, adds to the sense of the day as a living entity that is now coming to an end.

The second stanza of the poem begins with the line "The light that lies in woman's eyes," which introduces the theme of love and beauty. The use of the word "light" suggests a sense of radiance and warmth, as if the woman's eyes are glowing with an inner beauty. The use of the word "lies" suggests a sense of hiddenness or mystery, as if the true nature of the woman's beauty is not immediately apparent. The use of the word "woman" suggests a sense of femininity and grace, as if the speaker is in awe of the woman's beauty.

The third stanza of the poem continues with the theme of love and beauty, as the speaker describes the "moon's white horses" that "gallop across the sky." The use of the word "moon" suggests a sense of mystery and magic, as if the moon is a symbol of the unknown and the unattainable. The use of the word "horses" suggests a sense of power and grace, as if the moon's light is a force that cannot be tamed. The use of the word "gallop" suggests a sense of movement and energy, as if the moon's light is constantly in motion.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of time and mortality, as the speaker describes the "old men" who "sit in the shadowless light." The use of the word "old" suggests a sense of age and wisdom, as if the old men have lived long enough to understand the mysteries of life. The use of the word "shadowless" suggests a sense of clarity and transparency, as if the old men are free from the darkness of the twilight. The use of the word "light" suggests a sense of illumination and enlightenment, as if the old men have found a way to see beyond the darkness of the world.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings together all of the themes and imagery that have been introduced throughout the poem. The speaker describes the "poet's voice" that "sings on uninvited," suggesting a sense of spontaneity and inspiration. The use of the word "voice" suggests a sense of communication and expression, as if the poet's words are a way of connecting with the world. The use of the word "sings" suggests a sense of joy and celebration, as if the poet's words are a way of expressing the beauty and wonder of life.

In conclusion, "Poetry When Once The Twilight Locks No Longer" is a masterpiece of Dylan Thomas that captures the essence of poetry and its power to transcend time and space. Through its themes of love, beauty, time, and mortality, and its use of imagery and language, the poem creates a sense of wonder and awe that is both timeless and universal. As we read and reread this poem, we are reminded of the beauty and mystery of life, and of the power of poetry to capture and express that beauty and mystery.

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