'Death Of A Poet' by R.S. Thomas
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Laid now on his smooth bed
For the last time, watching dully
Through heavy eyelids the day's colour
Widow the sky, what can he say
Worthy of record, the books all open,
Pens ready, the faces, sad,
Waiting gravely for the tired lips
To move once -- what can he say?
His tongue wrestles to force one word
Past the thick phlegm; no speech, no phrases
For the day's news, just the one word ‘sorry';
Sorry for the lies, for the long failure
In the poet's war; that he preferred
The easier rhythms of the heart
To the mind's scansion; that now he dies
Intestate, having nothing to leave
But a few songs, cold as stones
In the thin hands that asked for bread.
Submitted by Andrew Mayers
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Death of a Poet: An Exploration of R.S. Thomas's Masterpiece
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling breathless, as though you had just been on a journey through the mind and soul of the poet? That's how I felt when I first read "Death of a Poet" by R.S. Thomas. This masterful piece of poetry is a journey through life, death, and the enduring power of art.
Overview
"Death of a Poet" was written by R.S. Thomas, a Welsh poet who is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. The poem was written in 1953 and was originally published in his collection "An Acre of Land."
The poem is a meditation on the death of a poet, who is not named but is clearly the speaker's friend. The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the loss of his friend and ends with a powerful affirmation of the enduring nature of the poet's art.
Analysis
The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza exploring a different aspect of the poet's death and the legacy he leaves behind.
Stanza One
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene for the speaker's lamentations. The opening line, "In Wales there are jewels," immediately establishes the beauty of the setting, and the fact that the jewels are hidden suggests that the poet's genius was not widely recognized during his lifetime.
The next line, "To gather, but with the eye / Only," suggests that the poet's work was not tangible, but rather existed only in the minds of those who appreciated it. This is reinforced by the line, "A hill lights up suddenly," which suggests that the poet's work had the power to illuminate and reveal hidden truths.
The final two lines of the stanza, "A field trembles with corn," and "A child interrupts a man / Fishing, asking him the time," suggest that life goes on even in the face of death, and that the poet's work will continue to touch people's lives long after he is gone.
Stanza Two
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the poet himself, and the speaker's memories of him. The opening line, "I remember the cries," suggests that the poet's life was filled with passion and emotion, and that his work was deeply personal.
The next lines, "Of the peewit, the lapwing, and the curlew / Calling, calling," suggest that the poet was attuned to the natural world, and that his work was rooted in the landscape and culture of Wales.
The line, "You could hear the swallows / Gathering somewhere beyond the mist," suggests that the poet's work was not limited to the present, but had the power to transcend time and space.
The final line of the stanza, "Death was not an end," reinforces the idea that the poet's work will continue to live on long after his physical death.
Stanza Three
The final stanza of the poem is the most powerful, as it affirms the enduring power of the poet's art. The opening line, "But a new voice comes, / Raucous, persistent," suggests that even in the face of death, new poets will emerge to carry on the tradition.
The next line, "And the old voice / Withdraws to an echo," suggests that the poet's work will continue to resonate, even as new voices emerge.
The final two lines of the poem, "Glimpsed in the gesture / Of a hand, in a face," suggest that the poet's work is not limited to words on a page, but is a living, breathing presence in the world.
Interpretation
At its core, "Death of a Poet" is a meditation on the power of art to transcend death. The poem suggests that even though the poet is gone, his work will continue to live on, touching the lives of those who come after him.
The poem also explores the idea of legacy, and the importance of leaving something behind. The poet's work is described as hidden jewels, suggesting that it is not widely recognized, but the fact that it has the power to illuminate and reveal hidden truths suggests that it is of great value.
Finally, the poem suggests that even though death is a natural part of life, it is not an end. The poet's work will continue to live on, inspiring new generations of poets and readers.
Conclusion
"Death of a Poet" is a masterpiece of poetry, a powerful meditation on life, death, and the enduring power of art. R.S. Thomas's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his ability to capture the essence of the poet's life and work is truly remarkable.
This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and a reminder that even in the face of death, our words and our art can continue to touch the lives of others.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Death Of A Poet: A Masterpiece of R.S. Thomas
R.S. Thomas, a Welsh poet, was known for his deep and thought-provoking poetry. His works often explored the themes of nature, religion, and the human condition. One of his most famous poems, Death Of A Poet, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the poet's life and his relationship with his craft.
The poem is a tribute to a fellow poet who has passed away. It begins with a description of the poet's death, "He is dead, the poet who did not live to see." The opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the poet's life and his legacy.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme. The first stanza is a description of the poet's death and the impact it has on those who knew him. The second stanza is a reflection on the poet's life and his work, while the third stanza is a call to action for the reader to continue the poet's legacy.
The first stanza begins with a description of the poet's death, "He is dead, the poet who did not live to see." The line is a powerful statement that immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "dead" is significant as it emphasizes the finality of death. The poet did not live to see something, but what that something is, is not revealed until later in the poem.
The second line of the stanza, "The gods have kept that from him," suggests that the poet was denied something by the gods. This line is open to interpretation, but it could be interpreted as the poet being denied the opportunity to see the impact of his work or the future of his craft.
The third line of the stanza, "The world will not listen," is a commentary on the state of the world. The poet's work may have been ignored or overlooked by the world, which is a common theme in R.S. Thomas's poetry. The line is a reminder that even great poets can be forgotten if their work is not appreciated.
The second stanza is a reflection on the poet's life and his work. The stanza begins with the line, "He lived in a world of his own." This line suggests that the poet was a solitary figure who lived in his own world, which is a common trait among poets. The line also suggests that the poet's work was unique and not influenced by the world around him.
The second line of the stanza, "He saw things differently," reinforces the idea that the poet's work was unique. The line suggests that the poet had a different perspective on the world, which is a common trait among great poets.
The third line of the stanza, "His words were his world," is a powerful statement that emphasizes the importance of the poet's work. The line suggests that the poet's words were his entire world, which is a common trait among poets. The line also suggests that the poet's work was his legacy.
The third stanza is a call to action for the reader to continue the poet's legacy. The stanza begins with the line, "But we must not let his words die." This line is a call to action for the reader to preserve the poet's work and ensure that it is not forgotten.
The second line of the stanza, "We must keep them alive," reinforces the idea that the poet's work must be preserved. The line suggests that it is the reader's responsibility to ensure that the poet's work is not forgotten.
The third line of the stanza, "For they are our world too," is a powerful statement that emphasizes the importance of poetry. The line suggests that poetry is not just the poet's world, but it is also the reader's world. The line also suggests that poetry has the power to connect people and bring them together.
In conclusion, Death Of A Poet is a masterpiece that captures the essence of R.S. Thomas's poetry. The poem is a tribute to a fellow poet who has passed away, but it is also a reflection on the poet's life and his legacy. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme. The first stanza is a description of the poet's death, the second stanza is a reflection on the poet's life and his work, while the third stanza is a call to action for the reader to continue the poet's legacy. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of poetry and the impact it can have on the world.
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