'Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed' by Dylan Thomas
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Lie still, sleep becalmed, sufferer with the wound
In the throat, burning and turning. All night afloat
On the silent sea we have heard the sound
That came from the wound wrapped in the salt sheet.
Under the mile off moon we trembled listening
To the sea sound flowing like blood from the loud wound
And when the salt sheet broke in a storm of singing
The voices of all the drowned swam on the wind.
Open a pathway through the slow sad sail,
Throw wide to the wind the gates of the wandering boat
For my voyage to begin to the end of my wound,
We heard the sea sound sing, we saw the salt sheet tell.
Lie still, sleep becalmed, hide the mouth in the throat,
Or we shall obey, and ride with you through the drowned.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed: A Masterful Expression of Desire and Despair
Dylan Thomas is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his profound and lyrical works that explore the complexities of the human experience. One of his most famous poems, "Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed," is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of desire and despair in a way that is both haunting and beautiful.
At its core, "Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed" is a poem about the longing for connection and the pain of separation. The speaker of the poem is consumed by a deep and intense desire for his loved one, who is absent from his side. Despite his longing, however, he is trapped in a state of paralysis, unable to reach out and touch the object of his affection.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his loved one, urging her to "lie still" and "sleep becalmed." These words carry a sense of tenderness and intimacy, as well as a desire for peace and stillness. The speaker goes on to describe his own state of mind, which is characterized by restlessness and anxiety.
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes increasingly consumed by his desire for his loved one, and his language grows more frenzied and desperate. He pleads with her to come to him, to "touch my mouth and hold my breath," but she remains out of reach. The speaker's frustration and despair are palpable, and his words carry a sense of raw emotion that is both beautiful and painful to witness.
One of the most striking aspects of "Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed" is the way that Thomas uses language to convey the speaker's state of mind. The poem is rich with vivid sensory imagery, from the "thunder of the waves" to the "smell of semen." Each word is carefully chosen to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion, and the poem as a whole is infused with a powerful sense of longing and desperation.
At the same time, however, there is a sense of ambiguity and ambiguity in the poem. It is never entirely clear who the speaker is addressing, or what the nature of their relationship might be. Some readers have interpreted the poem as a love poem addressed to a romantic partner, while others have seen it as a cry of longing for a lost child or even a deceased parent. The poem's ambiguity is part of what makes it so powerful, allowing each reader to bring their own interpretation and understanding to its rich tapestry of language and imagery.
Another key element of "Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed" is the way that it plays with the idea of desire and its relationship to language. Throughout the poem, the speaker's desire is expressed through words and images that are both sensual and visceral. The language of the poem is at once erotic and poetic, playing with the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual.
At the same time, however, there is a sense that the language itself is insufficient to capture the full depth of the speaker's desire. As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes increasingly frustrated with the limitations of language, and his words take on a sense of urgency and desperation. He longs to "break through the language of the dead," to find a way to express the inexpressible.
In this way, "Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed" can be seen as a meditation on the limitations of language and the human desire to transcend those limitations. It is a poem that grapples with the fundamental human longing for connection and the struggle to articulate that longing in a way that is both meaningful and true.
In conclusion, "Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed" is a masterful expression of desire and despair, using language and imagery to capture the complexities of the human experience. Through its rich tapestry of sensory imagery and ambiguous language, the poem explores the fundamental human longing for connection and the struggle to articulate that longing in a way that is both authentic and meaningful. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human, and it continues to resonate with readers today as a powerful and timeless work of art.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed: A Masterpiece by Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his vivid and imaginative use of language. His poems are a celebration of life, death, and everything in between. One of his most famous works is "Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed," a poem that captures the essence of sleep and the peace it brings. In this article, we will analyze and explain this masterpiece of poetry.
The poem begins with the line "Lie still, sleep becalmed," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is addressing someone who is sleeping, and the words "lie still" suggest that the speaker wants the person to remain in a state of rest. The word "becalmed" is interesting because it is usually used to describe a ship that is motionless due to a lack of wind. In this context, it suggests that the person sleeping is in a state of calmness and tranquility.
The second line of the poem reads, "I won't harm you or alarm you." This line is reassuring and suggests that the speaker is there to comfort the person sleeping. The use of the word "alarm" is interesting because it suggests that the person sleeping may be afraid or anxious. The speaker is there to provide comfort and reassurance.
The third line of the poem reads, "Or disarmed you or harmed you." This line is a continuation of the previous line and reinforces the idea that the speaker is there to provide comfort and safety. The use of the word "disarmed" is interesting because it suggests that the person sleeping may be vulnerable or exposed. The speaker is there to protect and care for the person sleeping.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "But you must not be touched at all." This line is a bit puzzling because it seems to contradict the previous lines. The speaker has just reassured the person sleeping that they will not be harmed or alarmed, but now they are being told that they cannot be touched at all. This line may suggest that the person sleeping is in a fragile state and needs to be left alone.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "You must not be moved or stirred." This line reinforces the idea that the person sleeping is in a fragile state and needs to be left alone. The use of the words "moved" and "stirred" suggests that any disturbance could disrupt the person's sleep and cause them harm.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Nor ever wake or rise or stare." This line is interesting because it suggests that the person sleeping is not just sleeping, but in a state of unconsciousness. The use of the words "wake" and "rise" suggest that the person is not just sleeping, but in a deep sleep. The use of the word "stare" is interesting because it suggests that the person sleeping may be in a state of shock or trauma.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Nor ever see the sun's surprise." This line is a continuation of the previous line and reinforces the idea that the person sleeping is in a state of unconsciousness. The use of the words "see" and "surprise" suggest that the person is not just sleeping, but in a state of deep unconsciousness. The use of the word "sun" is interesting because it suggests that the person sleeping is not just in a state of unconsciousness, but also cut off from the outside world.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "Nor, bored through blackest moss and weed." This line is interesting because it suggests that the person sleeping is not just in a state of unconsciousness, but also cut off from the outside world. The use of the words "blackest moss and weed" suggest that the person is in a dark and isolated place.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "Forget your name forevermore." This line is interesting because it suggests that the person sleeping is not just in a state of unconsciousness, but also cut off from their identity. The use of the words "forget" and "name" suggest that the person is in a state of amnesia or loss of identity.
The tenth and final line of the poem reads, "Forget the hammering on the door." This line is a continuation of the previous line and reinforces the idea that the person sleeping is in a state of isolation. The use of the words "hammering" and "door" suggest that the person is being cut off from the outside world and any potential disturbances.
In conclusion, "Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of sleep and the peace it brings. The poem is a celebration of rest, tranquility, and safety. The speaker is there to comfort and protect the person sleeping, and the use of language is vivid and imaginative. Dylan Thomas has created a work of art that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.
Editor Recommended Sites
What's the best App: Find the very best app across the different category groups. Apps without heavy IAP or forced auto renew subscriptionsFantasy Games - Highest Rated Fantasy RPGs & Top Ranking Fantasy Games: The highest rated best top fantasy games
Dev Curate - Curated Dev resources from the best software / ML engineers: Curated AI, Dev, and language model resources
ML Platform: Machine Learning Platform on AWS and GCP, comparison and similarities across cloud ml platforms
Deploy Code: Learn how to deploy code on the cloud using various services. The tradeoffs. AWS / GCP
Recommended Similar Analysis
Footnote To Howl by Allen Ginsberg analysisYou may forget but by Sappho analysis
Hanging Fire by Audre Lorde analysis
ETERNITY by Robert Herrick analysis
The Long Hill by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Metrical Feet by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
Quicksand Years by Walt Whitman analysis
Come slowly-Eden! by Emily Dickinson analysis
THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTY by Robert Herrick analysis
Pied Piper Of Hamelin, The by Robert Browning analysis