'Lament' by Dylan Thomas

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When I was a windy boy and a bit
And the black spit of the chapel fold,
(Sighed the old ram rod, dying of women),
I tiptoed shy in the gooseberry wood,
The rude owl cried like a tell-tale tit,
I skipped in a blush as the big girls rolled
Nine-pin down on donkey's common,
And on seesaw sunday nights I wooed
Whoever I would with my wicked eyes,
The whole of the moon I could love and leave
All the green leaved little weddings' wives
In the coal black bush and let them grieve.When I was a gusty man and a half
And the black beast of the beetles' pews
(Sighed the old ram rod, dying of bitches),
Not a boy and a bit in the wick-
Dipping moon and drunk as a new dropped calf,
I whistled all night in the twisted flues,
Midwives grew in the midnight ditches,
And the sizzling sheets of the town cried, Quick!-
Whenever I dove in a breast high shoal,
Wherever I ramped in the clover quilts,
Whatsoever I did in the coal-
Black night, I left my quivering prints.When I was a man you could call a man
And the black cross of the holy house,
(Sighed the old ram rod, dying of welcome),
Brandy and ripe in my bright, bass prime,
No springtailed tom in the red hot town
With every simmering woman his mouse
But a hillocky bull in the swelter
Of summer come in his great good time
To the sultry, biding herds, I said,
Oh, time enough when the blood runs cold,
And I lie down but to sleep in bed,
For my sulking, skulking, coal black soul!When I was half the man I was
And serve me right as the preachers warn,
(Sighed the old ram rod, dying of downfall),
No flailing calf or cat in a flame
Or hickory bull in milky grass
But a black sheep with a crumpled horn,
At last the soul from its foul mousehole
Slunk pouting out when the limp time came;
And I gave my soul a blind, slashed eye,
Gristle and rind, and a roarers' life,
And I shoved it into the coal black sky
To find a woman's soul for a wife.Now I am a man no more no more
And a black reward for a roaring life,
(Sighed the old ram rod, dying of strangers),
Tidy and cursed in my dove cooed room
I lie down thin and hear the good bells jaw--
For, oh, my soul found a sunday wife
In the coal black sky and she bore angels!
Harpies around me out of her womb!
Chastity prays for me, piety sings,
Innocence sweetens my last black breath,
Modesty hides my thighs in her wings,
And all the deadly virtues plague my death!

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deep Dive into Dylan Thomas’ “Lament”

As a celebrated poet of the early 20th century, Dylan Thomas gave us many masterpieces of literature. One of his most notable works is “Lament”, a haunting and introspective poem that deals with themes of death, loss, and decay. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the intricacies of this remarkable poem and unearth its underlying meaning.

Context and Background

To fully understand “Lament”, it is essential to delve into the context and background of the poem. Dylan Thomas wrote this piece in 1945, amid the final stages of World War II. The war had already claimed countless lives, and the world was reeling from the devastation it had caused. Against this backdrop of loss and destruction, “Lament” emerges as a powerful reflection on the human condition.

The poem is also significant in that it marks a departure from Thomas’ earlier, more optimistic works. Unlike his earlier poems, which were characterized by a sense of youthfulness and vitality, “Lament” is a deeply melancholic piece that speaks to the pain and suffering that people face in their lives.

Structure and Form

At a cursory glance, “Lament” appears to be a simple poem consisting of just two stanzas, each containing four lines. However, a deeper analysis reveals that the poem is much more complex than it initially appears.

The first stanza describes the decay and destruction wrought by time, with references to “broken statues” and “empty tombs”. The second stanza is more introspective in nature, with the speaker contemplating his own mortality and the inevitability of death.

The poem’s form is also worth noting. The use of a single, simple rhyme scheme (ABBA) creates a sense of unity and cohesiveness throughout the poem, while the repetition of certain phrases (“Time let me”) in both stanzas underscores the theme of inevitability.

Themes and Motifs

At its core, “Lament” is a meditation on death and the impermanence of life. This is expressed through the poem’s various themes and motifs, including:

Decay and Destruction

Throughout the poem, Thomas uses imagery of decay and destruction to convey the transience of life. From “broken statues” to “empty tombs”, the poem paints a picture of a world in which everything is ultimately doomed to decay and fall apart.

Time and Inevitability

Another central theme of “Lament” is the idea of time and its inevitable march towards death. This is expressed through the repeated phrase “Time let me”, which suggests that the speaker is at the mercy of time and has no control over his own fate.

Loss and Mourning

The poem also touches on the theme of loss and mourning, with the speaker lamenting the passing of loved ones and the inevitability of his own death.

Nature and the Elements

Nature and the elements play a significant role in “Lament”, with references to “rain” and “wind” evoking a sense of the natural world and its indifference to human life.

Interpretation and Analysis

So, what does all of this mean? What is the underlying message of “Lament”?

At its heart, the poem is a meditation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. Through its use of imagery and repetition, it highlights the transience of all things and the futility of trying to cling on to them.

The poem also suggests that, while death is inevitable, there is still value in the act of mourning and remembering those who have passed. By acknowledging and accepting the reality of death, we can begin to appreciate the preciousness of life and the time we have left.

Furthermore, the use of nature and the elements in the poem suggests that there is a larger, universal force at work that is beyond human control. Just as the rain and wind continue to rage on regardless of human life, so too does time continue to march forward towards the inevitable end.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Lament” is a haunting and introspective poem that deals with some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Through its use of vivid imagery and repetition, it captures the transience of all things and the inevitability of death.

However, the poem also suggests that there is value in acknowledging and mourning loss, and that by coming to terms with our own mortality, we can begin to appreciate the preciousness of life. It is this message of acceptance and resilience in the face of loss and suffering that makes “Lament” such a timeless and powerful piece of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dylan Thomas' "Lament" is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its evocative imagery and emotional depth. This poem is a powerful expression of grief and loss, and it captures the essence of human suffering in a way that is both beautiful and haunting.

The poem begins with a description of a landscape that is desolate and barren. The speaker describes a place where "the fields are bare" and "the sky is dark." This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of death and decay.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to lament the loss of a loved one. He speaks of "the dead who are lost" and "the ghosts who are gone." These lines are particularly poignant, as they capture the sense of loss and longing that is so often associated with grief.

Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid imagery to convey his emotions. He speaks of "the tears that fall like rain" and "the wind that moans like a lover." These images are powerful and evocative, and they help to create a sense of atmosphere that is both haunting and beautiful.

One of the most striking aspects of "Lament" is the way in which it uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The poem is filled with repeated phrases and images, such as "the dead who are lost" and "the wind that moans like a lover." These repetitions help to create a sense of unity and coherence within the poem, and they also serve to emphasize the central themes of grief and loss.

Another important aspect of the poem is its use of metaphor. The speaker compares the dead to "the leaves that fall from the trees" and "the snow that melts in the sun." These metaphors are powerful and effective, as they help to convey the sense of impermanence and transience that is so often associated with death.

Overall, "Lament" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of human suffering in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. Its vivid imagery, use of repetition, and powerful metaphors all contribute to its emotional impact, and it remains a classic example of the power of poetry to express the deepest human emotions.

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