'When, Like A Running Grave' by Dylan Thomas

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When, like a running grave, time tracks you down,
Your calm and cuddled is a scythe of hairs,
Love in her gear is slowly through the house,
Up naked stairs, a turtle in a hearse,
Hauled to the dome,Comes, like a scissors stalking, tailor age,
Deliver me who timid in my tribe,
Of love am barer than Cadaver's trap
Robbed of the foxy tongue, his footed tape
Of the bone inchDeliver me, my masters, head and heart,
Heart of Cadaver's candle waxes thin,
When blood, spade-handed, and the logic time
Drive children up like bruises to the thumb,
From maid and head,For, sunday faced, with dusters in my glove,
Chaste and the chaser, man with the cockshut eye,
I, that time's jacket or the coat of ice
May fail to fasten with a virgin o
In the straight grave,Stride through Cadaver's country in my force,
My pickbrain masters morsing on the stone
Despair of blood faith in the maiden's slime,
Halt among eunuchs, and the nitric stain
On fork and face.Time is a foolish fancy, time and fool.
No, no, you lover skull, descending hammer
Descends, my masters, on the entered honour.
You hero skull, Cadaver in the hangar
Tells the stick, 'fail.'Joy is no knocking nation, sir and madam,
The cancer's fashion, or the summer feather
Lit on the cuddled tree, the cross of fever,
Not city tar and subway bored to foster
Man through macadam.I dump the waxlights in your tower dome.
Joy is the knock of dust, Cadaver's shoot
Of bud of Adam through his boxy shift,
Love's twilit nation and the skull of state,
Sir, is your doom.Everything ends, the tower ending and,
(Have with the house of wind), the leaning scene,
Ball of the foot depending from the sun,
(Give, summer, over), the cemented skin,
The actions' end.All, men my madmen, the unwholesome wind
With whistler's cough contages, time on track
Shapes in a cinder death; love for his trick,
Happy Cadaver's hunger as you take
The kissproof world.

Editor 1 Interpretation

When, Like a Running Grave by Dylan Thomas: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, what a marvelous piece of poetry! Dylan Thomas has done it again with "When, Like a Running Grave." This poem is a journey through time, a contemplation on life and death, and an exploration of the human condition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of the poem to uncover its meaning and significance.

Themes

Death is central to this poem. The title itself, "When, Like a Running Grave," alludes to the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores death in a different way.

The first stanza describes death as a "running grave." This metaphor creates an image of death as something that is constantly chasing us, always just ahead of us, and ultimately unstoppable. The second stanza describes death as a "mournful sword." This metaphor creates an image of death as something that is sharp and painful, something that pierces the heart. The third stanza describes death as a "sleeping child." This metaphor creates an image of death as something that is peaceful and innocent, something that is not to be feared.

In addition to death, the poem also explores the theme of time. The first stanza describes time as a "stream," which flows constantly and without pause. The second stanza describes time as a "wave," which crashes and recedes, leaving behind memories and regrets. The third stanza describes time as a "halting heart," which beats slower and slower until it stops altogether.

Structure

The structure of the poem is interesting and complex. Each stanza has six lines, and each line has ten syllables. The rhyming scheme is ABABCC. This creates a sense of order and symmetry, which contrasts with the chaotic and unpredictable themes of the poem.

The first stanza is structured around the metaphor of the "running grave." Each line adds to this metaphor, building up a vivid and unsettling image of death. The second stanza is structured around the metaphor of the "mournful sword." Each line explores a different aspect of this metaphor, from the "shrill and silver" sound of the sword to the "slow and bloody" death that it brings. The third stanza is structured around the metaphor of the "sleeping child." Each line deepens this metaphor, from the "innocent and mild" appearance of the child to the "final and profound" sleep that it represents.

Language

The language of the poem is rich and evocative. Thomas uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to create a sense of the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The language is also musical, with a strong rhythm and repeated sounds that create a sense of unity and coherence.

The first stanza is full of visceral imagery, such as the "limbs of the torn hills" and the "jaws of the ground." These images create a sense of violence and destruction, which contrasts with the peaceful and innocent image of the "sleeping child" in the third stanza.

The second stanza is full of powerful metaphors, such as the "mournful sword" and the "dreaming bone." These metaphors create a sense of pain and loss, which contrasts with the hopeful and peaceful image of the "sleeping child" in the third stanza.

The third stanza is full of gentle and peaceful imagery, such as the "mild and deepening stars" and the "quietly smiling mouth." These images create a sense of tranquility and serenity, which contrasts with the violent and painful imagery of the first two stanzas.

Interpretation

So, what does this poem mean? Well, that's the beauty of poetry – it can mean different things to different people. However, here is one interpretation of "When, Like a Running Grave":

The poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. It explores different aspects of death, from the violent and destructive image of the "running grave" to the peaceful and innocent image of the "sleeping child." The poem also explores the theme of time, which flows constantly and without pause, leaving behind memories and regrets.

Ultimately, the poem is a reminder to live life to the fullest, to embrace every moment and to make the most of the time we have. It is also a reminder to accept death as a natural part of life, to face it with courage and grace, and to find comfort in the peaceful and innocent image of the "sleeping child."

Conclusion

In conclusion, "When, Like a Running Grave" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of death and time. The structure and language of the poem create a sense of order and symmetry, which contrasts with the chaotic and unpredictable themes of the poem. Ultimately, the poem is a reminder to live life to the fullest and to find comfort in the peaceful and innocent image of the "sleeping child." What a profound and beautiful piece of poetry!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry When, Like A Running Grave: A Masterpiece by Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his unique style of writing that blends surrealism, romanticism, and modernism. His poem, "When, Like A Running Grave," is a perfect example of his poetic genius. The poem, written in 1936, is a haunting and beautiful piece that explores the themes of time, death, and the transience of life. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the lines, "When, like a running grave, time tracks you down." The opening lines are powerful and set the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of time as a "running grave" is a striking one. It suggests that time is like a relentless force that is constantly chasing us, and that death is inevitable. The use of the word "grave" also implies that time is like a burial ground, where everything eventually comes to rest.

The next lines of the poem read, "And you, my thoughts, nine days of night endure, / And nine long winds the world blows through the trees." Here, the poet is addressing his own thoughts, which he personifies as enduring "nine days of night." The use of the number nine is significant, as it is often associated with completion and finality. The nine long winds blowing through the trees suggest the passage of time and the inevitability of change.

The third stanza of the poem reads, "Friend with the disappearing face and voice, / You of the gentle heart, who moved with grace." Here, the poet is addressing a friend who has passed away. The use of the phrase "disappearing face and voice" suggests that the friend is no longer present in the physical world. The poet describes his friend as having a "gentle heart" and moving with grace, which suggests that the friend was a kind and gentle person.

The next lines of the poem read, "The hills have hidden their holocaust away / And left the bones and buttons in a book." The use of the word "holocaust" here is not referring to the Holocaust of World War II, but rather to a more general sense of destruction and devastation. The hills have hidden their destruction away, leaving only the remnants behind. The use of the word "buttons" suggests that these remnants are small and insignificant, like the buttons on a shirt.

The fifth stanza of the poem reads, "And somewhere people who have not seen his face / And have not heard his voice cry: 'The darkness!' / And find no future in his wandering grave." Here, the poet is suggesting that even though his friend is gone, there are still people who mourn his passing. The use of the phrase "wandering grave" suggests that the friend's memory is still alive and moving through the world.

The final stanza of the poem reads, "And you, my father, there on the sad height, / Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray. / Do not go gentle into that good night. / Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Here, the poet is addressing his father, who is on his deathbed. The use of the phrase "sad height" suggests that the father is at the end of his life, and the poet is asking him to bless him with his tears. The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most famous, as they urge the reader to "rage, rage against the dying of the light." The use of the word "rage" suggests that the poet is urging the reader to fight against death and to live life to the fullest.

Overall, "When, Like A Running Grave" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of time, death, and the transience of life. The use of vivid imagery and personification creates a sense of urgency and inevitability. The poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry and showcases Dylan Thomas's unique style and poetic genius.

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