'Children's Song' by R.S. Thomas

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We live in our own world,
A world that is too small
For you to stoop and enter
Even on hands and knees,
The adult subterfuge.
And though you probe and pry
With analytic eye,
And eavesdrop all our talk
With an amused look,
You cannot find the centre
Where we dance, where we play,
Where life is still asleep
Under the closed flower,
Under the smooth shell
Of eggs in the cupped nest
That mock the faded blue
Of your remoter heaven.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Interpretation of R.S. Thomas' "Poetry, Children's Song"

R.S. Thomas is known for his ability to create a vivid image through his poetry, and "Poetry, Children's Song" is no exception. In this poem, Thomas explores the relationship between poetry and its audience, specifically the innocence of children and their ability to appreciate the beauty in simple language.

The poem opens with a description of children singing a song, "their voices high". This immediately sets the tone for the poem, as the innocence and purity of children is emphasized. Thomas uses the word "high" to describe their voices, which can be interpreted as both their physical pitch and their emotional state of joy and enthusiasm.

The second stanza is where the focus shifts to poetry. Thomas writes, "the poem moves in the mind". This line suggests that poetry is not meant to be merely read or heard, but rather experienced and internalized. The use of the word "moves" also implies a certain fluidity and fluidity of emotions that poetry can evoke within us.

The third stanza is where the connection between children and poetry is made. Thomas writes that the poem "matches their innocence". This suggests that children are able to appreciate poetry in its purest form, without being influenced by external factors such as analysis or interpretation. The use of the word "matches" also implies a certain harmony between children and poetry, as if they are meant to be together.

The fourth stanza continues the theme of simplicity and innocence. Thomas writes, "it is simple, its order is / order, say the simple words". By using repetition of the word "order", Thomas emphasizes the simplicity and straightforwardness of poetry. He also suggests that there is a certain order to poetry, that it is not just a jumble of words but rather a carefully crafted piece.

The final stanza is where the message of the poem is conveyed. Thomas writes, "The child thinks it is mere / noise, not knowing its beauty / matches the October leaf-colors". Here, Thomas suggests that children may not fully understand the beauty of poetry, but it still resonates with them on a subconscious level. The comparison to October leaf-colors emphasizes the fleeting nature of beauty and the idea that it may not always be fully appreciated in the moment.

Overall, "Poetry, Children's Song" is a beautiful exploration of the relationship between poetry and its audience, specifically the innocence and purity of children. Thomas emphasizes the simplicity and fluidity of poetry, while also suggesting that it can evoke strong emotions and leave a lasting impact on us.

Literary Criticism of R.S. Thomas' "Poetry, Children's Song"

R.S. Thomas' "Poetry, Children's Song" is a prime example of his ability to create a vivid image through his poetry. The theme of innocence and simplicity is explored throughout the poem, as well as the connection between poetry and its audience.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of language. Thomas uses simple words and phrases to convey complex ideas, such as "the poem moves in the mind" or "matches their innocence". This simplicity is in line with the overall theme of the poem, as it emphasizes the straightforwardness and fluidity of poetry.

Another notable aspect of the poem is the use of repetition. The repeated use of the word "order" in the fourth stanza emphasizes the idea that there is a certain structure to poetry, that it is not just a jumble of words but rather a carefully crafted piece. The repetition of "matches" in the third and final stanzas also reinforces the idea of harmony between children and poetry.

The comparison to October leaf-colors in the final stanza is also significant. It suggests that beauty may not always be fully appreciated in the moment, but rather recognized later on. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the beauty of poetry itself, that it may not always be fully understood or appreciated at first, but can leave a lasting impact on us.

In terms of interpretation, "Poetry, Children's Song" can be seen as a commentary on the state of poetry in modern society. Thomas emphasizes the simplicity and fluidity of poetry, suggesting that it does not need to be overly complex or intellectual in order to be beautiful and impactful. He also suggests that poetry can be appreciated by all, regardless of age or education.

Overall, R.S. Thomas' "Poetry, Children's Song" is a beautiful exploration of the relationship between poetry and its audience. Through his use of language and repetition, Thomas emphasizes the simplicity and fluidity of poetry, while also suggesting that it can evoke strong emotions and leave a lasting impact on us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Introduction

Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It is a powerful tool that can evoke strong feelings and inspire change. One of the most beautiful and timeless poems is the classic children's song written by R.S. Thomas. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of childhood and the beauty of nature. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The Poem

The poem begins with the line "The moon is hiding in her hair." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It creates a sense of mystery and wonder, as if the moon is a magical being that can hide in someone's hair. The moon is often associated with beauty and femininity, and this line suggests that the speaker is describing a young girl.

The next line reads, "The lilies shepherdess the air." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it suggests that the lilies are guiding or leading the air. Lilies are often associated with purity and innocence, and this line could be interpreted as the lilies guiding the pure and innocent air.

The third line reads, "See how the sun's golden threads." This line is a continuation of the previous line, as the sun's golden threads could be interpreted as the light that is being guided by the lilies. The sun is often associated with warmth and happiness, and this line suggests that the speaker is describing a beautiful day.

The fourth line reads, "Give life to the earth's brown heads." This line is a bit more straightforward, as it suggests that the sun's warmth is giving life to the earth. The earth's brown heads could be interpreted as the plants and flowers that are growing on the ground.

The fifth line reads, "See how the moon's silver creeps." This line is a continuation of the first line, as the moon's silver could be interpreted as the light that is creeping through the girl's hair. This line creates a sense of movement and fluidity, as if the moon's light is slowly moving through the girl's hair.

The sixth line reads, "It weaves into the golden sleeps." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it suggests that the moon's light is weaving into the golden sleeps. This could be interpreted as the moon's light creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere, as if the girl is sleeping peacefully under the moon's light.

The seventh line reads, "A harvest of dreams and memories." This line is a beautiful description of childhood. Childhood is often associated with dreams and memories, and this line suggests that the girl is experiencing a harvest of these dreams and memories.

The eighth line reads, "Where the heart's tide ebbs and flows." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it suggests that the girl's heart is experiencing a range of emotions. The heart's tide could be interpreted as the ebb and flow of emotions, and this line suggests that the girl is experiencing a range of emotions during this peaceful and serene moment.

Analysis

The classic children's song written by R.S. Thomas is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of childhood and the beauty of nature. The poem is full of vivid imagery and beautiful descriptions that create a sense of wonder and mystery. The poem is also full of symbolism, as the moon, sun, lilies, and earth are all used to represent different aspects of nature.

The poem begins with the line "The moon is hiding in her hair." This line creates a sense of mystery and wonder, as if the moon is a magical being that can hide in someone's hair. The moon is often associated with beauty and femininity, and this line suggests that the speaker is describing a young girl. The moon's light is also used to create a peaceful and serene atmosphere, as if the girl is sleeping peacefully under the moon's light.

The lilies are also used to create a sense of purity and innocence. Lilies are often associated with these qualities, and the line "The lilies shepherdess the air" suggests that the lilies are guiding or leading the pure and innocent air. The sun's golden threads are also used to create a sense of warmth and happiness, as the sun is often associated with these qualities.

The line "See how the moon's silver creeps" creates a sense of movement and fluidity, as if the moon's light is slowly moving through the girl's hair. This line is also a continuation of the first line, as the moon's silver could be interpreted as the light that is creeping through the girl's hair.

The line "It weaves into the golden sleeps" is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it suggests that the moon's light is creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. The golden sleeps could be interpreted as a peaceful and serene state of mind, and this line suggests that the girl is experiencing this state of mind under the moon's light.

The line "A harvest of dreams and memories" is a beautiful description of childhood. Childhood is often associated with dreams and memories, and this line suggests that the girl is experiencing a harvest of these dreams and memories. The line "Where the heart's tide ebbs and flows" suggests that the girl's heart is experiencing a range of emotions during this peaceful and serene moment.

Conclusion

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