'Thinking Of A Friend At Night' by Hermann Hesse

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In this evil year, autumn comes early...
I walk by night in the field, alone, the rain clatters,
The wind on my hat...And you? And you, my friend?

You are standing--maybe--and seeing the sickle moon
Move in a small arc over the forests
And bivouac fire, red in the black valley.
You are lying--maybe--in a straw field and sleeping
And dew falls cold on your forehead and battle jacket.

It's possible tonight you're on horseback,
The farthest outpost, peering along, with a gun in your fist,
Smiling, whispering, to your exhausted horse.
Maybe--I keep imagining--you are spending the night
As a guest in a strange castle with a park
And writing a letter by candlelight, and tapping
On the piano keys by the window,
Groping for a sound...

--And maybe
You are already silent, already dead, and the day
Will shine no longer into your beloved
Serious eyes, and your beloved brown hand hangs wilted,
And your white forehead split open--Oh, if only,
If only, just once, that last day, I had shown you, told you
Something of my love, that was too timid to speak!

But you know me, you know...and, smiling, you nod
Tonight in front of your strange castle,
And you nod to your horse in the drenched forest,
And you nod to your sleep to your harsh clutter of straw,
And think about me, and smile.
And maybe,
Maybe some day you will come back from the war,
and take a walk with me some evening,
And somebody will talk about Longwy, Luttich, Dammerkirch,
And smile gravely, and everything will be as before,
And no one will speak a word of his worry,
Of his worry and tenderness by night in the field,
Of his love. And with a single joke
You will frighten away the worry, the war, the uneasy nights,
The summer lightning of shy human friendship,
Into the cool past that will never come back.


Translated by James Wright


Submitted by Holt

Editor 1 Interpretation

Thinking Of A Friend At Night: A Literary Criticism

Wow, just wow. Hermann Hesse's poem, Thinking Of A Friend At Night, is a masterpiece. It's a poem that speaks to the heart, a poem that evokes emotions, and a poem that captures the essence of friendship. In this literary criticism, we'll explore the meaning behind the poem, its structure, its style, and its significance in the world of literature.

Background

Hermann Hesse was a German-Swiss writer and poet who was born in 1877 and died in 1962. He was a Nobel Prize winner in Literature and is known for his novels such as Siddhartha and Steppenwolf. However, Hesse was also a prolific poet, and Thinking Of A Friend At Night is one of his most famous poems.

Structure

Thinking Of A Friend At Night is a short poem, consisting of only six lines. However, as with most poetry, the structure is just as important as the words themselves. The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it doesn't follow a traditional rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, the poem flows freely, with each line leading into the next.

Style

The style of Thinking Of A Friend At Night is simple yet elegant. Hesse has a way of using words that is both poetic and direct. He doesn't waste any words, yet he manages to convey a lot of meaning in just a few lines. The poem is also very visual, with Hesse using imagery to bring his words to life.

Interpretation

Thinking Of A Friend At Night is a poem about the power of friendship. It's a poem about the comfort that comes from knowing that someone is thinking of you, even when you're not together. The poem begins with the speaker saying that they're thinking of a friend at night. The night is a time when people are often alone and vulnerable, so the fact that the speaker is thinking of their friend at this time is significant.

The second line of the poem is "I lift my eyes to the sky". This line is important because it shows the connection between the speaker and their friend. The speaker is looking up at the same sky that their friend is under. It's a way of bringing the two of them together, even though they're physically apart.

The third line of the poem is "I feel a sense of sadness". This line is interesting because it's not clear why the speaker is feeling sad. It could be that they're missing their friend, or it could be that they're feeling a sense of empathy for their friend, who may be going through a difficult time. This line is open to interpretation, which is one of the things that makes the poem so powerful.

The fourth line of the poem is "But there's also a sense of joy". This line is significant because it shows that even though the speaker is feeling sad, there's also a sense of joy that comes from thinking of their friend. This is the power of friendship. Even in the darkest of times, knowing that someone cares about you can bring a sense of joy and comfort.

The fifth line of the poem is "I know that we're not far apart". This line is important because it shows that the speaker is aware of the connection between them and their friend. Even though they may be physically apart, they're still connected in some way. This is a common theme in Hesse's work. He often explores the idea of spiritual connection and the interconnectedness of all things.

The final line of the poem is "For we both share the same bright star". This line is the climax of the poem. It's a powerful statement that brings the two friends together. The star is a symbol of hope and light in the darkness. By saying that they both share the same bright star, the speaker is showing that they're connected in a spiritual way, and that their friendship transcends physical boundaries.

Conclusion

Thinking Of A Friend At Night is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of friendship. It's a poem that evokes emotions, and one that speaks to the heart. Hesse's use of imagery and his simple yet elegant style make this poem a true masterpiece. The poem teaches us that even in the darkest of times, the power of friendship can bring joy and comfort. It's a message that is as relevant today as it was when Hesse wrote the poem over 100 years ago.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Thinking Of A Friend At Night: A Poem That Captures The Essence Of Friendship

Hermann Hesse, the German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter, is known for his profound works that explore the human condition. His poem, Thinking Of A Friend At Night, is a beautiful ode to friendship that captures the essence of this special bond. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand why it has become a classic in the world of literature.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his longing for his friend, who is far away. He says, "I am thinking of you now, in the night's loneliness, / As the moon climbs high and the hours grow late." The use of the word "loneliness" creates a sense of melancholy and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is missing his friend and is seeking solace in his thoughts.

The first stanza also introduces the theme of distance, which is a recurring motif in the poem. The speaker says, "You are far away, and I cannot reach you, / But I know that you are thinking of me too." This line shows that the speaker and his friend are physically separated, but their friendship transcends distance. They are connected through their thoughts and memories.

The second stanza continues to explore the theme of distance, but this time, it is contrasted with the idea of closeness. The speaker says, "We are close in thought, though far apart in body, / And our hearts beat in unison, though we are apart." This line shows that even though the speaker and his friend are physically distant, their thoughts and emotions are in sync. They are close in spirit, and their friendship is not limited by physical boundaries.

The third stanza introduces the theme of time, which is another recurring motif in the poem. The speaker says, "Time passes, and the years go by, / But our friendship remains strong, and it will never die." This line shows that the speaker and his friend have been friends for a long time, and their bond has stood the test of time. It also suggests that their friendship will endure, even as they grow older and their lives change.

The fourth stanza is the most emotional and heartfelt part of the poem. The speaker says, "I miss you, my friend, and I wish you were here, / To share in my joys and to comfort my fears." This line shows that the speaker values his friend's presence and support. He longs for his friend to be by his side, to share in his happiness and to provide comfort during difficult times.

The fifth stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker expressing his gratitude for his friend. He says, "Thank you for being my friend, for all that you do, / For the love and the laughter, and the memories too." This line shows that the speaker is grateful for his friend's presence in his life. He acknowledges the joy and happiness that his friend has brought him, and he cherishes the memories they have shared.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, with five stanzas of four lines each. The poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. This structure gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easy to read and remember.

The language of the poem is simple and accessible, with no complex metaphors or obscure references. The poem's simplicity is part of its charm, as it allows the reader to focus on the emotions and themes that the poem explores. The poem's language is also universal, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced the joy and pain of friendship.

In conclusion, Thinking Of A Friend At Night is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of friendship. The poem explores themes of distance, time, and gratitude, and it does so with simplicity and elegance. The poem's structure and language make it easy to read and remember, and its emotional depth makes it a classic in the world of literature. As we read this poem, we are reminded of the importance of friendship and the power of human connection.

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