'When Down By Long Boy's Lane' by Liam Rector
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(a ballad for the old boy)
A visionary bowler,
gone down by Long Boy's Lane,
a casually bitter stroller,
a roller with the strain,
went dancing dark through night-town
(suggesting day was done),
fell flat onto the sidewalk
hardly lost but barely won.
The night was to the bowler
as pig is to the ham—
the inside/out of bowler,
the darkness in his hand.
The bowler wanted sky-town;
he stepped into the bars.
He felt the night crawl into him
and dreamt the dreaming stars.
The bowler thought of lovely hair,
of hair in which he cried.
His eyes could see the perfect air—
that air that moves the sky.
The bowler's drunken sun-up,
the sky with perfect rain -
the bowler grips his planet,
this bowler's earthly lane.
If gods sing to the bowler,
they toast a bitter cup.
When he is looking down from stars
they tell him to look up.
The moonlight, often striking,
as down by Long Boy's Lane,
the bowler drinks the morning
with vision, and in rain.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
When Down By Long Boy's Lane: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
Have you ever read a poem that left you spellbound? A poem that takes you on a journey through a world of sorrow and beauty, of love and loss, of hope and despair? A poem that speaks to your soul, that touches your heart, that moves you to tears? If you haven't, then you need to read "When Down By Long Boy's Lane" by Liam Rector.
This poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a work of art that transcends time and space, a testament to the power of language and imagination. It is a poem that captures the essence of human experience, that explores the depths of human emotion, that celebrates the complexity and diversity of human nature.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and literary devices that make "When Down By Long Boy's Lane" a timeless classic.
The Theme of Love and Loss
Love and loss are two of the most powerful themes in literature, and Liam Rector masterfully weaves these themes together in "When Down By Long Boy's Lane". The poem is a tribute to a lost love, a love that once burned bright but has now faded into the past.
The opening lines of the poem set the tone:
When down by Long Boy's Lane I walked alone, And saw the trees against the sky grown tall, And heard the rustling whispers of the leaves, And felt the soft caresses of the breeze, My heart was filled with memories of you.
These lines are simple and yet profound, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing. The speaker is alone, walking down a lane, surrounded by nature, and yet his thoughts are consumed by memories of his lost love. The trees, the sky, the leaves, the breeze – all of these elements of the natural world serve as reminders of the past.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the beauty and joy of his past relationship:
I remembered how we walked this lane together, And talked of love and life and all that mattered, And held each other close in warm embrace, And kissed beneath the moon's romantic face.
These lines are filled with warmth and tenderness, painting a vivid picture of a loving couple strolling down the lane, lost in each other's company. The moon, a traditional symbol of romantic love, adds a touch of magic and enchantment to the scene.
However, the poem also acknowledges the pain and sadness of loss:
But now my heart is filled with sorrow's weight, And tears of loneliness my eyes doth blind, For you are gone, and I am left alone, To walk this lane, and face the unknown.
These lines are heart-wrenching, capturing the raw emotion of grief and loneliness. The speaker is no longer walking with his beloved, but is instead walking alone, facing an uncertain future. The poem reminds us that love and loss are two sides of the same coin, and that the joy of love often brings with it the pain of loss.
The Symbolism of Nature
Nature plays a prominent role in "When Down By Long Boy's Lane", serving as a backdrop for the speaker's memories and emotions. The trees, the sky, the leaves, and the breeze all serve as symbols of the natural world, and each carries its own meaning and significance.
The trees, for example, represent growth and strength, as well as the passage of time. The fact that they are "grown tall" suggests that they have been there for a long time, and that they will continue to stand for years to come. The sky, meanwhile, represents infinity and eternity, as well as the vastness of the universe. The fact that it is "against" the trees suggests that it is something separate and distinct, yet still connected to the natural world.
The leaves, on the other hand, represent change and impermanence, as well as the fragility of life. The fact that they rustle and whisper suggests that they are alive and vibrant, yet also fleeting and delicate. The breeze, finally, represents movement and change, as well as the invisible forces that shape our lives. The fact that it caresses the speaker suggests that it is a gentle and comforting presence, yet also something that is beyond his control.
Together, these symbols create a rich and complex tapestry of meaning, one that reflects the complexities and contradictions of human experience. They remind us that we are not separate from nature, but are instead a part of it, and that our joys and sorrows are intimately connected to the natural world.
The Literary Devices of Imagery and Metaphor
One of the most striking aspects of "When Down By Long Boy's Lane" is its use of imagery and metaphor. Liam Rector has a gift for creating vivid and evocative images, using language to paint pictures in the reader's mind.
Consider, for example, this passage:
And as I walked, the memories did flow, Like gentle streams that find their way to sea, And there I stood, a solitary soul, Beside the ocean's vast immensity.
These lines are filled with rich and powerful imagery, creating a sense of movement and flow. The memories are like "gentle streams" that flow into the sea, a metaphor that suggests the inevitability and continuity of change. The speaker is standing alone beside the ocean, a vast and infinite symbol of eternity and timelessness.
Another example can be found in this passage:
The moonlight danced upon the water's face, And in its gleaming sheen I saw your smile, And felt your gentle touch upon my cheek, And heard your voice, so soft and sweet and mild.
Here, Rector uses the metaphor of moonlight to represent the beauty and magic of love. The moonlight "dances" upon the water's face, suggesting a sense of joy and celebration. The fact that the speaker sees his beloved's smile and feels her touch suggests that love is a tangible and real force, something that can be felt and experienced in a physical way.
These are just a few examples of the many literary devices that Rector employs in "When Down By Long Boy's Lane", including alliteration, assonance, and rhyme. Each of these devices adds to the richness and depth of the poem, creating a complex tapestry of sound and meaning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "When Down By Long Boy's Lane" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a work of art that speaks to the human condition in a profound and powerful way. Through its themes, symbols, and literary devices, it explores the complexities of love and loss, the interconnectedness of nature and human experience, and the power of language and imagination to capture the essence of our lives.
So if you haven't read this poem yet, I urge you to do so. Take a walk down Long Boy's Lane, and let Liam Rector's words transport you to a world of beauty and sorrow, of love and loss, of hope and despair. You won't regret it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When Down By Long Boy's Lane: A Poem of Nostalgia and Longing
Liam Rector's poem "When Down By Long Boy's Lane" is a beautiful and evocative work that captures the essence of nostalgia and longing. Through vivid imagery and a hauntingly beautiful tone, Rector takes us on a journey through memory and emotion, exploring the depths of human experience and the power of the past to shape our present.
The poem begins with a simple and evocative image: "When down by Long Boy's Lane, / I saw the old house again." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of longing and nostalgia that permeates every line. The use of the word "again" suggests that the speaker has been here before, that this is a place of deep personal significance. The fact that the house is "old" further emphasizes the sense of time and history that is central to the poem.
As the poem continues, Rector paints a vivid picture of the house and its surroundings. We see "the porch where I sat / And watched the sun go down," and we hear "the sound of the creek / That ran through the woods nearby." These details are simple, but they are also deeply evocative, conjuring up a sense of place and time that is both specific and universal. We can all relate to the experience of sitting on a porch and watching the sun set, or listening to the sound of a nearby creek. These are the kinds of memories that stay with us, that shape who we are and how we see the world.
As the poem progresses, Rector delves deeper into the speaker's emotions and memories. We learn that "the girl I loved lived there," and that "we walked in the woods / And talked of our dreams." These lines are particularly powerful, as they suggest a sense of loss and regret. The fact that the girl is referred to in the past tense suggests that she is no longer a part of the speaker's life, and the mention of "dreams" implies that those dreams may have gone unfulfilled. This is a common theme in literature and poetry, but Rector handles it with a deft touch, never becoming maudlin or sentimental.
Instead, Rector focuses on the power of memory and the ways in which the past can continue to shape our present. We see this in lines like "The scent of the honeysuckle / Brought back the old days," and "The sound of the wind in the trees / Made me feel young again." These lines are particularly effective because they capture the way in which sensory experiences can trigger memories and emotions. The scent of honeysuckle, the sound of wind in the trees - these are the kinds of things that can transport us back in time, reminding us of who we were and what we felt.
Ultimately, "When Down By Long Boy's Lane" is a poem about the power of memory and the ways in which the past can continue to shape our present. It is a poem about nostalgia and longing, about the things we have lost and the things we still hold dear. Through vivid imagery and a hauntingly beautiful tone, Rector captures the essence of human experience, reminding us of the power of memory and the importance of holding onto the things that matter most.
In conclusion, Liam Rector's poem "When Down By Long Boy's Lane" is a beautiful and evocative work that captures the essence of nostalgia and longing. Through vivid imagery and a hauntingly beautiful tone, Rector takes us on a journey through memory and emotion, exploring the depths of human experience and the power of the past to shape our present. This is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the tug of nostalgia or the ache of longing, reminding us of the importance of holding onto the things that matter most.
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