'An Old Man' by R.S. Thomas
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Looking upon this tree with its quaint pretension
Of holding the earth, a leveret, in its claws,
Or marking the texture of its living bark,
A grey sea wrinkled by the winds of years,
I understand whence this man's body comes,
In veins and fibres, the bare boughs of bone,
The trellised thicket, where the heart, that robin,
Greets with a song the seasons of the blood.But where in meadow or mountain shall I match
The individual accent of the speech
That is the ear's familiar?To what sun attribute
The honeyed warmness of his smile?
To which of the deciduous brood is german
The angel peeping from the latticed eye?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry: An Old Man by R.S. Thomas
It's difficult to describe the feeling that overcomes you when you first read "Poetry: An Old Man" by R.S. Thomas. This poem is an ode to the power of poetry, to its ability to transcend time and space, to its ability to capture the essence of human experience. It's a poem that's full of beautiful imagery, deep emotion, and profound insights about the nature of art and the human soul.
At its core, "Poetry: An Old Man" is a poem about the power of words. The poem begins with a description of an old man, sitting alone in his cottage, surrounded by books and papers. He's a man who has devoted his life to the pursuit of poetry, to the study of language and the written word. And as we watch him, we see that he's not just a man, but a symbol of all the poets who have come before him, who have struggled to express their own vision of the world through the medium of language.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for what's to come:
An old man near the end of his days, a basket of firewood on his shoulders, no longer walking the fields at dusk to a cottage where a child is waiting.
The imagery here is striking. We can see the old man trudging home, carrying the weight of his years on his back, his steps slow and steady. But there's also a sense of sadness and regret in these lines. The old man is no longer young, no longer able to run through the fields or play with children. He's a solitary figure, isolated from the world around him, and yet he's still driven by a fierce passion for poetry.
In the second stanza, the poem shifts its focus to the power of language:
The light from a lamp spills out, and on the paper set out before him words appear, old and new, neatly arranged in lines and stanzas.
Here, we see the old man at work, surrounded by his books and papers, his mind alive with the possibilities of language. The use of the word "neatly" is significant here. It suggests that the old man is not just scribbling down random thoughts, but carefully crafting his words into a coherent form. And the fact that the words are "old and new" emphasizes the timelessness of poetry, its ability to speak to us across generations.
In the third stanza, the poem takes on a more spiritual tone:
He struggles to find the right words, words that will capture the essence of all he has seen and felt and known, words that will speak to the heart.
This stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the entire poem. Here, we see the old man grappling with the very essence of poetry, trying to find the words that will convey his deepest thoughts and emotions. And notice how the poem emphasizes the importance of speaking to the heart. Poetry, it suggests, is not just about crafting clever verses or intricate wordplay. It's about connecting with something deep inside us, something that transcends language itself.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together:
And as he writes, the fire dies down and the shadows lengthen around him. But still he writes, driven by a force greater than himself, greater than us all.
Here, we see the old man, alone in his cottage, writing by the fading light of a dying fire. And yet, despite the darkness that surrounds him, he's driven on by a force that's greater than himself, greater than all of us. This force, the poem suggests, is the power of poetry itself, the ability of words to transcend time and space, to connect us with something greater than ourselves.
In conclusion, "Poetry: An Old Man" is a truly beautiful and profound poem. It's a tribute to the power of language, to the ability of poetry to capture the essence of human experience. And it's a reminder that, no matter how dark the world may seem, there's always the possibility of something greater, something that connects us to each other and to the world around us. If you haven't read this poem before, I highly recommend it. It's a true masterpiece, and one that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to evoke emotions, stir up memories, and transport us to different times and places. One such poem that does all of this and more is "An Old Man" by R.S. Thomas. This classic poem is a poignant reflection on aging, mortality, and the human condition. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker describing an old man who is "a solitary figure" walking along the road. The use of the word "solitary" immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that the old man is alone and isolated. This is reinforced by the description of the road as "empty," emphasizing the sense of loneliness and desolation. The old man is also described as "stooped," suggesting that he is physically frail and vulnerable.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the old man's life and the passing of time. The line "He has outlived his wife, his friends, his generation" is particularly poignant, as it highlights the inevitability of death and the loneliness that comes with it. The use of the word "outlived" suggests that the old man has survived his loved ones, but it also implies that he has endured their loss. This is reinforced by the line "He remembers birthdays, the anniversaries of deaths," which suggests that he is haunted by memories of the past.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker reflects on the old man's relationship with nature. The line "He has seen the world change and not changed with it" suggests that the old man has remained rooted in his ways, despite the passing of time. This is reinforced by the description of the old man as "a tree in winter," which suggests that he is steadfast and enduring, even in the face of adversity. The use of nature imagery throughout the poem is significant, as it suggests that the old man is connected to the natural world and finds solace in it.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker reflects on the old man's mortality. The line "He will go on walking, listening to the wind" suggests that the old man is resigned to his fate and is at peace with it. The use of the word "listening" is significant, as it suggests that the old man is attuned to the natural world and finds comfort in it. The final line of the poem, "The leaves rushing, the stones singing, the river whispering," is a beautiful and evocative description of the natural world. It suggests that even in death, the old man will be surrounded by the beauty and wonder of nature.
Overall, "An Old Man" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of aging, mortality, and the human condition. The use of nature imagery throughout the poem is significant, as it suggests that the old man finds solace and comfort in the natural world. The poem is also notable for its use of language, which is simple yet evocative. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "He has outlived" and "listening to the wind," reinforces the themes of the poem and creates a sense of rhythm and flow.
In conclusion, "An Old Man" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of aging, mortality, and the human condition are universal and timeless, and its use of nature imagery and language is both beautiful and evocative. As we read and reflect on this poem, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of finding solace and comfort in the natural world.
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