'Lament' by Dylan Thomas
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When I was a windy boy and a bit
And the black spit of the chapel fold,
(Sighed the old ram rod, dying of women),
I tiptoed shy in the gooseberry wood,
The rude owl cried like a tell-tale tit,
I skipped in a blush as the big girls rolled
Nine-pin down on donkey's common,
And on seesaw sunday nights I wooed
Whoever I would with my wicked eyes,
The whole of the moon I could love and leave
All the green leaved little weddings' wives
In the coal black bush and let them grieve.
When I was a gusty man and a half
And the black beast of the beetles' pews
(Sighed the old ram rod, dying of bitches),
Not a boy and a bit in the wick-
Dipping moon and drunk as a new dropped calf,
I whistled all night in the twisted flues,
Midwives grew in the midnight ditches,
And the sizzling sheets of the town cried, Quick!-
Whenever I dove in a breast high shoal,
Wherever I ramped in the clover quilts,
Whatsoever I did in the coal-
Black night, I left my quivering prints.
When I was a man you could call a man
And the black cross of the holy house,
(Sighed the old ram rod, dying of welcome),
Brandy and ripe in my bright, bass prime,
No springtailed tom in the red hot town
With every simmering woman his mouse
But a hillocky bull in the swelter
Of summer come in his great good time
To the sultry, biding herds, I said,
Oh, time enough when the blood runs cold,
And I lie down but to sleep in bed,
For my sulking, skulking, coal black soul!
When I was half the man I was
And serve me right as the preachers warn,
(Sighed the old ram rod, dying of downfall),
No flailing calf or cat in a flame
Or hickory bull in milky grass
But a black sheep with a crumpled horn,
At last the soul from its foul mousehole
Slunk pouting out when the limp time came;
And I gave my soul a blind, slashed eye,
Gristle and rind, and a roarers' life,
And I shoved it into the coal black sky
To find a woman's soul for a wife.
Now I am a man no more no more
And a black reward for a roaring life,
(Sighed the old ram rod, dying of strangers),
Tidy and cursed in my dove cooed room
I lie down thin and hear the good bells jaw--
For, oh, my soul found a sunday wife
In the coal black sky and she bore angels!
Harpies around me out of her womb!
Chastity prays for me, piety sings,
Innocence sweetens my last black breath,
Modesty hides my thighs in her wings,
And all the deadly virtues plague my death!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Lament by Dylan Thomas: A Masterpiece of Literary Expression
If there is one thing that is certain in life, it is that death is inevitable. Every living being must face the stark reality that one day, their time will come to pass. The subject of death has always fascinated poets and literary writers, and one of the most powerful expressions of this fascination can be found in Dylan Thomas's poem, Lament. This 68-line masterpiece provides a detailed and unique perspective on death and the mourning process that comes with it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and literary devices used by Thomas to make Lament a timeless classic.
Context
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Dylan Thomas was a Welsh poet and writer who lived during the early 20th century. He was known for his unique style of poetry, which often included complex metaphors and unconventional syntax. Lament was written in 1945, during the final stages of World War II. The poem was a response to the death of Thomas's close friend, the Welsh poet and writer, Vernon Watkins. Thomas had a deep emotional attachment to Watkins, and his death was a significant loss for him. It is this emotional connection that gives Lament its power and intensity.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in Lament is the inevitability of death. Thomas makes it clear that death is an unavoidable part of life, and that everyone must face it eventually. This theme is evident in the opening lines of the poem, where Thomas describes the "groaning hill" and the "grey sea" as being "the speechless sorrow of eternity". Here, Thomas is suggesting that the natural world itself is mourning the loss of life, and that this loss is a constant and unending process.
Another important theme in Lament is the process of mourning. Thomas portrays mourning as a complex and multi-layered experience, involving a range of emotions and psychological states. One of the key aspects of mourning in Lament is the idea of separation. Thomas describes how the dead are "divided from the living" and how they "lie in their darkened halls". This idea of separation is further emphasised by the use of repetition throughout the poem, particularly in the repeated use of the word "alone".
The theme of separation is also related to the idea of memory. Thomas suggests that the dead are not truly gone, but instead live on through our memories of them. He writes, "They shall have stars at elbow and foot; / Though they go mad they shall be sane, / Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again". Here, Thomas is suggesting that memories of the dead are like stars in the sky, always present and always shining. This idea of memory is closely linked to the theme of mourning, as it is through our memories of the dead that we are able to find comfort and solace in their passing.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking aspects of Lament is the use of imagery. Thomas uses vivid and powerful descriptions to create a sense of atmosphere and mood throughout the poem. The opening lines, for example, are rich with imagery, depicting a landscape that is in a state of mourning. The "groaning hill" and the "grey sea" are both powerful symbols of grief and loss. The use of colour is also important in creating a sense of mood. The "grey sea" and the "black rain" are both colours that are associated with sadness and mourning, while the "white breakers" suggest a sense of violence and upheaval.
Another important aspect of Lament is the use of repetition. Thomas repeats certain words and phrases throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and musicality. The repetition of the word "alone" is particularly effective in conveying the sense of separation and isolation that is such an important part of the mourning experience. The repetition of the phrase "their lost mouths" is also significant, as it emphasises the idea that the dead are no longer able to speak or communicate with the living.
The use of metaphor is also prominent in Lament. Thomas uses metaphors to create powerful and evocative comparisons between different concepts. The line "Their shoulders are a pillow for the trust / Of the forever dead" is a particularly effective use of metaphor, as it suggests that the living are able to find comfort and support in the memory of the dead. The metaphor of the stars is also significant, as it suggests that the memory of the dead can provide guidance and light in times of darkness and uncertainty.
Interpretation
Lament is a poem that is rich in symbolism and meaning. At its core, it is a meditation on the inevitability of death and the complex process of mourning that comes with it. Thomas portrays mourning as a multi-layered experience, involving a range of emotions and psychological states. He emphasises the idea of separation, suggesting that the dead are no longer able to communicate with the living. However, he also suggests that the dead live on through our memories of them, and that these memories can provide comfort and solace in times of grief.
Lament is also a poem that is deeply connected to its historical context. It was written during the final stages of World War II, a time when death and loss were a daily occurrence. Thomas's portrayal of the natural world in a state of mourning reflects the widespread sense of grief and trauma that was felt during this period. The poem can be seen as a response to this collective sense of loss, providing a powerful and emotional expression of grief.
Finally, Lament is a poem that is timeless in its appeal. The themes and ideas that it explores are universal, and its imagery and language are both powerful and evocative. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way, reminding us of the fragility of life and the importance of remembering those who have passed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lament is a masterpiece of literary expression. It is a powerful and emotional response to the inevitability of death and the complex process of mourning that comes with it. Thomas's use of imagery, repetition, and metaphor creates a sense of atmosphere and mood that is both evocative and memorable. The poem is deeply connected to its historical context, reflecting the sense of loss and grief that was felt during World War II. However, its themes and ideas are universal, making it a poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. Lament is a timeless classic, and a testament to the power of poetry to express the most complex and challenging aspects of the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Lament by Dylan Thomas: A Heart-Wrenching Elegy
Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his lyrical and evocative poetry that captures the essence of life and death. His poem, Lament, is a heart-wrenching elegy that mourns the loss of a loved one and reflects on the transience of life. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with a powerful and evocative image of the sea, which serves as a metaphor for the cycle of life and death. The opening lines, "When I was a windy boy and a bit / And the black spit of the chapel fold, / Sighed the old ram rod dying of women," set the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is reflecting on his youth, when he was full of energy and vitality, and the sea was a constant presence in his life. The "black spit of the chapel fold" refers to the rocky coastline of Wales, where the poet grew up, and the "old ram rod dying of women" is a reference to the phallic symbol of the church spire, which is a common motif in Thomas's poetry.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the central theme of loss and grief. The speaker reflects on the death of a loved one, who is described as "the drowned faceless, / The death-masks of drowned men." The use of the word "faceless" emphasizes the anonymity of the dead, and the "death-masks" suggest a sense of horror and finality. The speaker's grief is palpable in the lines, "I hear the lost sounds of the lover's tongue / That in the desolate night and the rain, / Lost, claps its hands for the starlit foam-beast."
The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the natural world, and the speaker reflects on the beauty and transience of life. The lines, "The sea moves on, the hillsides slide time / And come to rest where the whale has roared," suggest the cyclical nature of life and death, and the impermanence of all things. The use of the word "whale" is significant, as it is a symbol of both life and death, and represents the power and majesty of nature.
The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the theme of loss and grief, and the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death. The lines, "The worm that hides / In the cold clay, the bitter frost," suggest the decay and dissolution of the body after death. The use of the word "bitter" emphasizes the pain and sorrow of death, and the image of the worm emphasizes the physicality of death.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful and emotional conclusion to the elegy. The speaker reflects on the beauty and mystery of life, and the inevitability of death. The lines, "And I am dumb to tell the crooked rose / My youth is bent by the same wintry fever," suggest the speaker's acceptance of his own mortality, and his recognition that all things must come to an end. The final lines of the poem, "And the heart that is soonest awake to the flowers / Is always the first to be touched by the thorns," suggest the bittersweet nature of life, and the fact that joy and sorrow are always intertwined.
In terms of language and imagery, Lament is a masterful example of Thomas's poetic style. The use of metaphor and symbolism is particularly effective, as it allows the poet to explore complex themes and emotions in a concise and evocative way. The sea, for example, is a powerful and recurring image throughout the poem, representing both the beauty and the danger of life. The use of the word "whale" is also significant, as it suggests the power and majesty of nature, and the inevitability of death.
The language of the poem is also notable for its musicality and rhythm. Thomas's use of alliteration and assonance creates a sense of flow and movement, and the repetition of certain phrases and images adds to the overall impact of the poem. The lines, "The sea moves on, the hillsides slide time / And come to rest where the whale has roared," for example, are particularly effective in their use of repetition and rhythm.
In conclusion, Lament is a powerful and evocative elegy that explores the themes of loss, grief, and the transience of life. Through its use of metaphor, symbolism, and language, the poem captures the beauty and mystery of life, as well as the pain and sorrow of death. Dylan Thomas's poetic style is on full display in this masterful work, and it remains a testament to his skill and artistry as a poet.
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