'Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright' by Dylan Thomas

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Sometimes the sky's too bright,
Or has too many clouds or birds,
And far away's too sharp a sun
To nourish thinking of him.
Why is my hand too blunt
To cut in front of me
My horrid images for me,
Of over-fruitful smiles,
The weightless touching of the lip
I wish to know
I cannot lift, but can,
The creature with the angel's face
Who tells me hurt,
And sees my body go
Down into misery?
No stopping. Put the smile
Where tears have come to dry.
The angel's hurt is left;
His telling burns.Sometimes a woman's heart has salt,
Or too much blood;
I tear her breast,
And see the blood is mine,
Flowing from her, but mine,
And then I think
Perhaps the sky's too bright;
And watch my hand,
But do not follow it,
And feel the pain it gives,
But do not ache.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sometimes the Sky's Too Bright: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Dylan Thomas is a poet who has left an indelible mark on the world of literature. His poetry is known for its vivid imagery, musicality, and emotional intensity. One of his most famous poems is "Sometimes the Sky's Too Bright." In this poem, Thomas explores the idea of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. Through his use of language, imagery, and symbolism, he creates a powerful and poignant meditation on the human condition.

Background

"Sometimes the Sky's Too Bright" was published in Thomas's 1946 collection, "Deaths and Entrances." The poem is written in free verse, which is a form of poetry that does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. This allows the poet to be more flexible and expressive in their use of language.

The poem is divided into four stanzas, each containing four lines. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which contrasts with the themes of impermanence and mortality that the poem explores.

Analysis

The poem begins with the line "sometimes the sky's too bright." This simple statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The idea of the sky being "too bright" suggests a sense of discomfort or unease. This is further emphasized in the next line, which reads "Or has too many clouds or birds." Here, Thomas suggests that even when the sky is not too bright, it can still be overwhelming in its complexity.

The second stanza continues this theme, with the line "and far away's too sharp a sun." This line suggests that distance can also be a source of discomfort or unease. The idea of the sun being "too sharp" creates a sense of pain or discomfort. This is further emphasized in the next line, which reads "Blinding to see what's done." Here, Thomas suggests that looking back on the past can be painful or difficult.

In the third stanza, Thomas shifts his focus to the present moment. He writes "I only know that summer sang in me." This line suggests a sense of joy or happiness. The idea of summer singing conveys a sense of vitality and energy. However, this sense of joy is tempered by the next line, which reads "A little while, that in me sings no more." Here, Thomas suggests that even the most joyful moments are fleeting and impermanent.

The final stanza of the poem brings together the themes of impermanence and mortality that have been running throughout the poem. Thomas writes "And sings no more, for all the rest is gone." This line suggests that everything that was once joyful or meaningful is now gone. This is further emphasized in the next line, which reads "The summer in the seed is sown." Here, Thomas suggests that everything that once existed is now merely a seed, waiting to be planted again.

Interpretation

"Sometimes the Sky's Too Bright" is a poem that explores the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of mortality. Through his use of language, imagery, and symbolism, Thomas creates a powerful and poignant meditation on the human condition.

The idea of the sky being "too bright" suggests a sense of discomfort or unease. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the overwhelming nature of life. Even when things are going well, there is always the sense that something could go wrong.

The idea of the sun being "too sharp" suggests a sense of pain or discomfort. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the pain of looking back on the past. Memories can be painful, and the knowledge that they can never be relived can be difficult to bear.

The line "I only know that summer sang in me" suggests a sense of joy or happiness. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the moments in life that are joyful and meaningful. However, the line "A little while, that in me sings no more" reminds us that even the most joyful moments are fleeting and impermanent.

The final stanza of the poem brings together the themes of impermanence and mortality. The idea that everything that was once joyful or meaningful is now gone suggests that nothing lasts forever. However, the line "The summer in the seed is sown" suggests that there is always the possibility of new beginnings.

Conclusion

"Sometimes the Sky's Too Bright" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of mortality. Through his use of language, imagery, and symbolism, Dylan Thomas creates a meditation on the human condition that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem reminds us that life is fleeting, but also that there is always the possibility of new beginnings.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright: An Analysis

Dylan Thomas, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem titled "Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright." This poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human experience and the fleeting nature of life. In this article, we will analyze this poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem begins with the line "Sometimes the sky's too bright." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, suggesting that there are moments in life when things are too intense, too overwhelming, and too bright. The speaker goes on to describe how, in these moments, he feels "a little drunk" and "a little out of tune." This suggests that the speaker is not in control of his emotions and is struggling to make sense of the world around him.

The second stanza of the poem is where the imagery really comes to life. The speaker describes how "the apples turn to brown" and "the grass is brown and dry." This imagery suggests that the speaker is experiencing a sense of decay and loss. The apples, which were once fresh and vibrant, have now turned brown and are no longer appealing. The grass, which was once green and lush, has now turned brown and dry, suggesting that life is fleeting and that everything eventually fades away.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to reflect on his own mortality. He describes how "the sky is too high" and how "the earth is too full." This suggests that the speaker is feeling overwhelmed by the vastness of the world around him and is struggling to find his place in it. He goes on to describe how "the wind is too strong" and how "the water is too deep." This suggests that the speaker is feeling powerless and vulnerable in the face of the natural world.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to find some solace in the midst of his struggles. He describes how "the sun is too hot" and how "the moon is too cold." This suggests that the speaker is experiencing a sense of imbalance in his life, with things feeling either too intense or too distant. However, he goes on to describe how "the stars are too numerous" and how "the night is too long." This suggests that the speaker is finding comfort in the vastness of the universe and in the knowledge that he is just a small part of something much larger.

The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker comes to a sense of acceptance and peace. He describes how "the birds are too many" and how "the trees are too few." This suggests that the speaker is finding a sense of balance in the natural world, with the abundance of birds offsetting the scarcity of trees. He goes on to describe how "the land is too open" and how "the sea is too wide." This suggests that the speaker is finding a sense of freedom in the vastness of the natural world, with the open land and wide sea offering him a sense of possibility and adventure.

In conclusion, "Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright" is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human experience and the fleeting nature of life. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem explores themes of mortality, loss, and acceptance. It suggests that life is a journey filled with both joy and sorrow, and that we must learn to find balance and peace in the midst of it all. Dylan Thomas was a master of his craft, and this poem is a testament to his skill and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few short lines.

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