'A Dream' by William Allingham
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I heard the dogs howl in the moonlight night;
I went to the window to see the sight;
All the Dead that ever I knew
Going one by one and two by two.
On they pass'd, and on they pass'd;
Townsfellows all, from first to last;
Born in the moonlight of the lane,
Quench'd in the heavy shadow again.
Schoolmates, marching as when they play'd
At soldiers once - but now more staid;
Those were the strangest sight to me
Who were drown'd, I knew, in the awful sea.
Straight and handsome folk, bent and weak, too;
Some that I loved, and gasp'd to speak to;
Some but a day in their churchyard bed;
Some that I had not known were dead.
A long, long crowd - where each seem'd lonely,
Yet of them all there was one, one only,
Raised a head or look'd my way;
She linger'd a moment - she might not stay.
How long since I saw that fair pale face!
Ah! Mother dear! might I only place
My head on thy breast, a moment to rest,
While thy hand on my tearful cheek were prest!
On, on, a moving bridge they made
Across the moon-stream, from shade to shade,
Young and old, women and men;
Many long-forgot, but remembered then,
And first there came a bitter laughter;
A sound of tears a moment after;
And then a music so lofty and gay,
That eve morning, day by day,
I strive to recall it if I may.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"A Dream" by William Allingham: A Reverie of the Subconscious Mind
As I read William Allingham's "A Dream," I am immediately drawn into a vivid and surreal world that seems to exist beyond the boundaries of reality. From the very first line, the poem invites the reader to join the speaker on a journey into the depths of the subconscious mind, where dreams and fantasies come alive.
But what is this dream that Allingham speaks of, and what does it represent? At its core, "A Dream" is a meditation on the nature of imagination and creativity, and the ways in which they can be used to escape the confines of everyday life. Through his use of vivid imagery, hypnotic rhythms, and a dreamlike atmosphere, Allingham creates a world that is at once fantastical and deeply meaningful.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream in which he wanders through a magical landscape filled with strange and wondrous sights:
I heard the trailing garments of the Night
Sweep through her marble halls!
I saw her sable skirts all fringed with light
From the celestial walls!
From the outset, Allingham establishes a sense of otherworldliness, as the Night herself becomes a tangible presence, her "trailing garments" filling the air with a whispering sound. But it is the image of the "celestial walls" that truly captures the imagination, hinting at a vast and infinite realm beyond the limits of human perception.
As the speaker continues on his journey, he encounters a series of surreal and often unsettling images, such as the "dimpled spider" and the "shaggy wolf." Yet even as these creatures elicit a sense of fear and unease, they also serve to inspire the speaker's imagination, as he finds himself drawn deeper into the dream:
And still as I drew near
Those dancing shapes grew clear
Out of the darkening air;
Here, Allingham uses language to create a sense of movement and fluidity, as the "dancing shapes" seem to emerge from the very fabric of the dream, taking on a life of their own. It is this sense of constant transformation and evolution that makes "A Dream" so compelling, as the poem becomes a journey not only through the subconscious mind, but through the very essence of human experience.
As the dream draws to a close, the speaker is left with a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the world he has witnessed:
The world is full of beauty, as other worlds above,
And if we did our duty, it might be full of love.
Here, Allingham makes a subtle yet powerful statement about the potential of the human spirit, and the ways in which we can use our imagination and creativity to transform the world around us. By embracing the dreamlike qualities of the world, we can awaken to the hidden possibilities that exist all around us, and find new ways to connect with others and with ourselves.
In many ways, "A Dream" is a deeply personal poem, born out of Allingham's own experiences and observations of the world around him. Yet it is also a universal meditation on the power of the subconscious mind, and the ways in which we can tap into its mysteries to unlock our full potential.
As I read and reread this poem, I am struck by the profound sense of wonder and possibility that it evokes. Through its vivid imagery and hypnotic rhythms, "A Dream" becomes more than just a poem – it becomes a portal to a realm beyond our wildest imaginings, where anything is possible and the boundaries of reality are constantly being redefined.
So I ask you, dear reader: what dreams lie within you, waiting to be unleashed? What hidden worlds and unexplored possibilities await your discovery? With "A Dream" as our guide, we can begin to answer these questions, and embark on a journey of transformation and self-discovery that will stay with us long after the dream has faded away.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to transport us to different worlds and evoke emotions that we never knew existed. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "A Dream" by William Allingham. This classic poem is a beautiful representation of the power of dreams and the human desire to escape reality.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream that he had. In this dream, he finds himself in a beautiful garden surrounded by flowers and trees. The imagery used in this stanza is vivid and colorful, painting a picture of a serene and peaceful place. The use of words like "fair" and "sweet" add to the dreamlike quality of the poem, making the reader feel as though they too are in this magical garden.
As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the various sights and sounds that he encounters in the garden. He hears the sound of a lute being played and sees a group of maidens dancing. The use of music and dance in this stanza adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem, as these are often associated with the surreal and otherworldly.
The speaker then sees a beautiful woman who he describes as being "fairer than the fairest." This woman is described as being ethereal and otherworldly, further adding to the dreamlike quality of the poem. The speaker is immediately drawn to her and follows her as she walks through the garden.
As the woman leads the speaker through the garden, he sees various other sights, including a group of knights and a castle in the distance. The use of these medieval images adds to the romantic and fantastical nature of the poem, making the reader feel as though they are in a fairy tale.
The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker realizes that he is dreaming and that he must wake up. The use of the word "waking" in this stanza is significant, as it represents the speaker's desire to escape reality and live in this dreamlike world forever. However, the speaker knows that he cannot stay in this dream forever and must return to reality.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. The speaker laments the fact that he must leave this magical world and return to the mundane reality of everyday life. The use of the word "cold" in this stanza is significant, as it represents the harshness of reality and the fact that the speaker must leave behind the warmth and beauty of the dream world.
Overall, "A Dream" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the human desire to escape reality and live in a world of beauty and magic. The use of vivid imagery and dreamlike language makes the reader feel as though they too are in this magical garden, experiencing the sights and sounds that the speaker encounters. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to transport us to different worlds and evoke emotions that we never knew existed.
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