'Lullaby' by Dorothy Parker
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Sleep, pretty lady, the night is enfolding you;
Drift, and so lightly, on crystalline streams.
Wrapped in its perfumes, the darkness is holding you;
Starlight bespangles the way of your dreams.
Chorus the nightingales, wistfully amorous;
Blessedly quiet, the blare of the day.
All the sweet hours may your visions be glamorous-
Sleep, pretty lady, as long as you may.
Sleep, pretty lady, the night shall be still for you;
Silvered and silent, it watches you rest.
Each little breeze, in its eagerness, will for you
Murmur the melodies ancient and blest.
So in the midnight does happiness capture us;
Morning is dim with another day's tears.
Give yourself sweetly to images rapturous-
Sleep, pretty lady, a couple of years.
Sleep, pretty lady, the world awaits day with you;
Girlish and golden, the slender young moon.
Grant the fond darkness its mystical way with you;
Morning returns to us ever too soon.
Roses unfold, in their loveliness, all for you;
Blossom the lilies for hope of your glance.
When you're awake, all the men go and fall for you-
Sleep, pretty lady, and give me a chance.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Enigma of Dorothy Parker's Lullaby
Oh, what a beautiful poem! Here I am, trying to wrap my head around the mesmerizing complexity of Dorothy Parker's Lullaby. This piece of literature is one of those works that keeps you guessing, leaves you intrigued, and makes you think deep about the possibilities of interpretation. It's like a puzzle with pieces that never fit perfectly, but somehow, they create a unique and beautiful imagery. I am excited to share my thoughts and analysis of this fascinating piece of poetry.
The Context
Before we start, let's get a quick background of the poem's context. Lullaby is a work of Dorothy Parker, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century. She was known for her wit, sarcasm, and dark humor, which she often infused in her works. Lullaby was published in 1926, and it is a part of her collection of poems titled "Enough Rope." The poem is a short one, only six lines long, yet it has managed to capture the attention of readers and literary critics alike.
The Interpretation
Lullaby is one of those poems that can be interpreted in several ways. The poem's ambiguity makes it open to multiple readings, which is what makes it intriguing. Here is my interpretation of the poem.
Lullaby
I lie here thinking of you:—
the stain of love
is upon the world!
Yellow, yellow, yellow
it eats into the leaves,
smears with saffron
the horned branches that lean
heavily
against a smooth purple sky!
There is no light
only a honey-thick stain
that drips from leaf to leaf
and limb to limb
spoiling the colors
of the whole world—
you far off there under
the wine-red selvage of the west!
The opening line of the poem, "I lie here thinking of you," sets the mood of the poem. It portrays a sense of longing, a feeling of missing someone or something. The next line, "the stain of love is upon the world," is where the ambiguity of the poem starts. What does the "stain of love" mean? Is it a positive or a negative thing? Does it represent the beauty or the ugliness of love? Does it signify the permanence or the transience of love?
The repetition of the word "yellow" in the next four lines reinforces the image of a yellow stain that is slowly spreading across the world, devouring everything in its path. The color yellow is often associated with happiness, joy, and optimism, but in this poem, it takes on a different meaning. It represents the destructive power of love, the way it can consume everything in its path, leaving nothing untouched.
The image of the "horned branches that lean heavily against a smooth purple sky" is a beautiful and vivid depiction of nature, but it also adds to the ominous tone of the poem. The branches are a metaphor for the strength of love, its ability to overpower everything else. The purple sky, which is usually a symbol of serenity and calmness, becomes a backdrop for the chaos that love is causing in the world.
The line "There is no light, only a honey-thick stain" further emphasizes the bleakness of the situation. The honey-thick stain is a metaphor for the suffocating quality of love. It's not a pleasant thing, but rather something that is overwhelming and difficult to escape.
The final lines of the poem, "you far off there under the wine-red selvage of the west!" offer some relief from the dark imagery that precedes it. It gives the impression that the speaker is addressing someone, perhaps the object of their affection, who is far away but still present in their thoughts. The "wine-red selvage of the west" is a beautiful and serene image that contrasts with the chaos of the rest of the poem. It suggests that even in the midst of all the turmoil, there is still a glimmer of hope.
The Analysis
Now that we have interpreted the poem let's delve deeper into its literary analysis. The poem employs several literary devices, which add to its complexity and richness. Here are some of the literary devices used in the poem.
Metaphor
Metaphor is one of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem. The "stain of love" is a metaphor that runs throughout the poem. It's a powerful image that evokes a sense of something that is spreading uncontrollably, like a virus. The metaphor of the "yellow stain" and the "honey-thick stain" further emphasizes the destructive power of love, the way it can infect everything, leaving nothing untouched.
Repetition
Repetition is another literary device used in the poem. The repetition of the word "yellow" reinforces the image of the stain spreading across the world. It's a subtle but effective way of creating a sense of urgency and chaos.
Imagery
The poem uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey its message. The image of the "horned branches that lean heavily against a smooth purple sky" is a beautiful and evocative depiction of nature. The use of colors like yellow, saffron, and purple adds to the richness of the imagery, creating a sense of vividness and intensity.
Personification
Personification is yet another literary device employed in the poem. The use of personification in the lines "it eats into the leaves" and "smears with saffron" gives life to the stain of love. It makes it seem like a living, breathing thing that is devouring everything in its path.
The Significance
The poem's significance lies in its ability to capture the complexity of love. Love is not always a positive thing, and the poem portrays it as something that can be destructive and suffocating. The poem's ambiguity allows for multiple interpretations, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. It's a powerful and evocative piece of literature that showcases the depth and richness of Dorothy Parker's writing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lullaby is a beautiful and complex poem that offers a unique perspective on love. The poem's ambiguity and use of literary devices like metaphor, repetition, imagery, and personification add to its richness and depth. It's a powerful piece of literature that showcases Dorothy Parker's talent as a writer.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Lullaby by Dorothy Parker: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Longing
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American writer, poet, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and insightful observations on life, love, and society. Her poem "Lullaby" is a hauntingly beautiful and deeply emotional work that captures the essence of love, loss, and longing in a few short stanzas. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem, and examine how Parker uses them to convey her message.
The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement: "Sleep, sleep, beauty bright." The speaker, presumably a mother or a caregiver, is addressing a child or a loved one, urging them to rest and find peace in slumber. The repetition of the word "sleep" creates a soothing and calming effect, as if the speaker is trying to lull the listener into a state of tranquility. The use of the adjective "beauty bright" suggests that the listener is someone cherished and beloved, someone who brings light and joy to the speaker's life.
However, the tone of the poem quickly shifts from one of comfort and reassurance to one of sadness and despair. The second stanza reveals that the speaker is not just trying to comfort a child, but is also mourning the loss of a lover: "Dreaming in the joys of night;/Sleep, sleep; in thy sleep/Little sorrows sit and weep." The use of the word "dreaming" suggests that the speaker is reminiscing about happier times with the lover, perhaps imagining a world where they are still together. The phrase "joys of night" implies that the speaker finds solace and comfort in the darkness, as if the night is a refuge from the harsh realities of the day.
However, the line "Little sorrows sit and weep" reveals that the speaker's grief is not easily assuaged. The use of the word "little" suggests that the sorrows are insignificant or trivial, but the fact that they are weeping implies that they are still powerful enough to cause pain and sadness. The juxtaposition of the words "little" and "sorrows" creates a sense of irony, as if the speaker is trying to downplay the depth of her emotions, even as they overwhelm her.
The third stanza continues the theme of loss and longing, as the speaker addresses the lover directly: "Thou hast wonders in thy hand,/Mysteries that others cannot see." The use of the second person pronoun "thou" creates a sense of intimacy and closeness, as if the speaker is speaking to someone she knows intimately. The phrase "wonders in thy hand" suggests that the lover possesses something magical or extraordinary, something that sets them apart from others. The word "mysteries" implies that the lover is enigmatic or mysterious, someone who is difficult to understand or fathom.
The fourth stanza reveals the source of the speaker's pain and longing: "There are times and hours for thee,/And the bright eyes of the night/With the silent stars to see." The use of the phrase "times and hours for thee" suggests that the lover is no longer present in the speaker's life, that they have moved on or passed away. The phrase "bright eyes of the night" creates a sense of wonder and awe, as if the night sky is a source of comfort and inspiration for the speaker. The use of the word "silent" implies that the stars are a source of solace and peace, as if they are watching over the speaker and offering her comfort.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker returns to the theme of sleep and rest: "Sleep, sleep, beauty bright,/Dreaming in the joys of life;/Sleep, sleep, in thy sleep/Streams of love flow o'er thee." The use of the phrase "dreaming in the joys of life" suggests that the speaker is trying to find happiness and contentment in the present moment, even as she mourns the loss of the past. The phrase "streams of love flow o'er thee" creates a sense of abundance and generosity, as if the speaker is offering the listener a gift of love and affection.
In conclusion, "Lullaby" is a powerful and poignant poem that captures the essence of love, loss, and longing in a few short stanzas. Through her use of imagery, language, and tone, Dorothy Parker creates a hauntingly beautiful work that speaks to the universal human experience of grief and longing. Whether we have lost a lover, a friend, or a family member, we can all relate to the emotions expressed in this poem. As we read and reflect on "Lullaby," we are reminded of the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to offer us comfort and solace in times of sorrow.
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