'The House Of Dust: Part 01: 05: The snow floats down upon us, mingled with rain' by Conrad Aiken
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The snow floats down upon us, mingled with rain . . .
It eddies around pale lilac lamps, and falls
Down golden-windowed walls.
We were all born of flesh, in a flare of pain,
We do not remember the red roots whence we rose,
But we know that we rose and walked, that after a while
We shall lie down again.
The snow floats down upon us, we turn, we turn,
Through gorges filled with light we sound and flow . . .
One is struck down and hurt, we crowd about him,
We bear him away, gaze after his listless body;
But whether he lives or dies we do not know.
One of us sings in the street, and we listen to him;
The words ring over us like vague bells of sorrow.
He sings of a house he lived in long ago.
It is strange; this house of dust was the house I lived in;
The house you lived in, the house that all of us know.
And coiling slowly about him, and laughing at him,
And throwing him pennies, we bear away
A mournful echo of other times and places,
And follow a dream . . . a dream that will not stay.
Down long broad flights of lamplit stairs we flow;
Noisy, in scattered waves, crowding and shouting;
In broken slow cascades.
The gardens extend before us . . . We spread out swiftly;
Trees are above us, and darkness. The canyon fades . . .
And we recall, with a gleaming stab of sadness,
Vaguely and incoherently, some dream
Of a world we came from, a world of sun-blue hills . . .
A black wood whispers around us, green eyes gleam;
Someone cries in the forest, and someone kills.
We flow to the east, to the white-lined shivering sea;
We reach to the west, where the whirling sun went down;
We close our eyes to music in bright cafees.
We diverge from clamorous streets to streets that are silent.
We loaf where the wind-spilled fountain plays.
And, growing tired, we turn aside at last,
Remember our secret selves, seek out our towers,
Lay weary hands on the banisters, and climb;
Climbing, each, to his little four-square dream
Of love or lust or beauty or death or crime.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The House of Dust: Part 01: 05 - A Masterpiece of Imagery and Emotion
Are you ready to dive into the world of poetry and experience the magic of words that can transport you to a different time and place? If so, Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 01: 05: The snow floats down upon us, mingled with rain" is the perfect poem to explore. This classic work of literature is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion that captures the beauty and sadness of life.
Introduction
Conrad Aiken was a prolific American poet, novelist, and critic who lived from 1889 to 1973. He was a master of the modernist style of poetry, which emphasized complex themes, fragmented language, and experimental forms. "The House of Dust" is his most famous work, a long poem that tells the story of a house that represents the stages of human life from birth to death.
In "The House of Dust: Part 01: 05," Aiken describes a winter scene in which snow and rain fall on a group of people who are waiting for a train. The poem is full of vivid imagery and sensory details that create a powerful impression of the setting and the emotions of the characters.
Analysis
The poem begins with the line, "The snow floats down upon us, mingled with rain." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of cold and wetness. The snow and rain are not separate, but rather, they are mixed together, creating a sense of confusion and uncertainty.
As the poem continues, we learn that the people in the scene are waiting for a train. Aiken describes their clothing and movements in detail, creating a sense of realism and immediacy. The characters are not just abstract concepts, but real people with clothes and actions that we can picture in our minds.
The poem is full of sensory details that help to create a vivid picture of the scene. Aiken describes the sound of the snow and rain falling, the feeling of the wetness on the characters' skin, and the sight of the snowflakes melting on their clothes. These details help to create a sense of immersion for the reader, as if they were standing in the same place as the characters.
The poem also contains a number of striking images that convey complex emotions. Aiken writes, "The sharp sleet lashes the turning leaves and shrinks them; / And then the rain lashes the leeward side of the tree and the leaves / Toss backward and forward." This image of the leaves being whipped back and forth by the wind and rain captures the sense of turmoil and confusion that the characters are feeling.
Another memorable image is when Aiken writes, "The lamps in the streets are streamed with rain, / And sparrows ruffle their feathers on the roofs, / And when the doors clap to and fro on the sidewalks / The sound is drowned by the dry sound of the rain." This image of the doors clapping and the sound being drowned out by the rain conveys a sense of isolation and loneliness.
The poem builds to a climax when Aiken writes, "And we who have been withered by the rain, / And battered by the snow, and vexed by the wind, / We who have longed for sun and have been gladdened by it, / We who have seen leaves wither and fall, / And we who have been withered and fallen ourselves, / We are here, waiting for the train." This final stanza brings together all of the themes of the poem, including the passage of time, human mortality, and the search for meaning in life.
Interpretation
"The House of Dust: Part 01: 05" is a poem that captures the beauty and sadness of life. The winter scene that Aiken describes is a metaphor for the human experience, where we are buffeted by the forces of nature and the passage of time. The snow and rain that fall on the characters represent the challenges and hardships that we all face in life.
The poem also explores the themes of mortality and the search for meaning. The characters are waiting for a train, which can be seen as a metaphor for the journey of life. They are waiting for something to happen, something that will give their lives purpose and meaning. But in the end, they are left waiting, with nothing to do but endure the cold and wetness.
"The House of Dust: Part 01: 05" is a powerful work of literature that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It reminds us that life is full of both beauty and sadness, and that we must learn to endure the hardships and find meaning in the journey.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The House of Dust: Part 01: 05: The snow floats down upon us, mingled with rain" is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion that captures the beauty and sadness of life. Conrad Aiken's use of vivid imagery and sensory details creates a powerful impression of the winter scene, while his exploration of themes such as mortality and the search for meaning give the poem a profound depth. This classic work of literature is a must-read for anyone who wants to explore the power of poetry and the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The House Of Dust: Part 01: 05: The snow floats down upon us, mingled with rain is a classic poem written by Conrad Aiken that has stood the test of time. This poem is a beautiful and haunting depiction of the winter season, and the emotions that it evokes in us. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with the line "The snow floats down upon us, mingled with rain," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "mingled" suggests a sense of confusion and uncertainty, as if the snow and rain are unsure of their own identity. This is a common theme throughout the poem, as Aiken explores the idea of identity and how it is affected by the changing seasons.
As the poem continues, Aiken describes the snow and rain as "ghosts" that "whisper and sigh." This imagery is both beautiful and eerie, as it suggests a sense of otherworldliness and mystery. The use of the word "ghosts" also implies a sense of loss and longing, as if the snow and rain are mourning something that has been lost.
Throughout the poem, Aiken uses a variety of sensory details to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. He describes the "cold wet grass" and the "damp earth" in such a way that we can almost feel the chill in the air. He also uses sound to great effect, describing the "whisper and sigh" of the snow and rain, and the "drip, drip, drip" of the melting snow.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the way that Aiken uses language to convey a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. He uses phrases like "half-forgotten" and "vague memories" to suggest that the speaker is not entirely sure of their own identity or their place in the world. This is a common theme throughout Aiken's work, as he often explores the idea of the self and how it is shaped by external forces.
Another important theme in this poem is the idea of transformation. Aiken describes the snow and rain as "changing" and "shifting," suggesting that they are constantly in a state of flux. This is a powerful metaphor for the human experience, as we too are constantly changing and evolving over time.
Overall, The House Of Dust: Part 01: 05: The snow floats down upon us, mingled with rain is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores a variety of themes and emotions. Aiken's use of imagery, language, and sensory details creates a vivid and immersive experience for the reader, and his exploration of identity and transformation is both thought-provoking and deeply moving. This is a poem that has stood the test of time, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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