'Welsh Landscape' by R.S. Thomas
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From "Ten Contemporary Poets" compiled and edited by Maurice Wollman, Harrap 1963To live in Wales is to be conscious
At dusk of the spilled blood
That went into the making of the wild sky,
Dyeing the immaculate rivers
In all their courses.
It is to be aware,
Above the noisy tractor
And hum of the machine
Of strife in the strung woods,
Vibrant with sped arrows.
You cannot live in the present,
At least not in Wales.
There is the language for instance,
The soft consonants
Strange to the ear.
There are cries in the dark at night
As owls answer the moon,
And thick ambush of shadows,
Hushed at the fields' corners.
There is no present in Wales,
And no future;
There is only the past,
Brittle with relics,
Wind-bitten towers and castles
With sham ghosts;
Mouldering quarries and mines;
And an impotent people,
Sick with inbreeding,
Worrying the carcase of an old song. To live in Wales is to be conscious
At dusk of the spilled blood
That went into the making of the wild sky,
Dyeing the immaculate rivers
In all their courses.
It is to be aware,
Above the noisy tractor
And hum of the machine
Of strife in the strung woods,
Vibrant with sped arrows.
You cannot live in the present,
At least not in Wales.
There is the language for instance,
The soft consonants
Strange to the ear.
There are cries in the dark at night
As owls answer the moon,
And thick ambush of shadows,
Hushed at the fields' corners.
There is no present in Wales,
And no future;
There is only the past,
Brittle with relics,
Wind-bitten towers and castles
With sham ghosts;
Mouldering quarries and mines;
And an impotent people,
Sick with inbreeding,
Worrying the carcase of an old song.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Welsh Landscape" by R.S. Thomas: A Poetic Exploration of Identity
Are you ever struck by the power and beauty of a landscape? Does it ever make you wonder about the people who live there, and how they have shaped and been shaped by the land? If so, then you might find R.S. Thomas's "Welsh Landscape" to be a fascinating and thought-provoking poem.
First published in 1955, "Welsh Landscape" is one of Thomas's most famous poems, and has been widely anthologized and studied. It's a poem that explores themes of identity, place, and history, using vivid imagery and a distinctive voice to create a powerful and memorable meditation on Wales and its people.
The Landscape as Character
One of the most striking things about "Welsh Landscape" is how Thomas personifies the landscape, giving it a voice and a presence that is almost human. From the opening lines, the countryside is described as a "wilderness" that is "fierce with the bitter breath / Of merciless winds" (lines 1-2). These descriptions create a sense of hostility and danger, as if the land is actively hostile to human life.
But as the poem progresses, this hostility is tempered by a sense of affection and familiarity. The landscape is described as "the hill farmers' fields / Which are part of their bones" (lines 11-12), suggesting that the people who live there are deeply connected to the land, and that it is an essential part of their identity. The landscape is also described as "the old man asleep / Dreaming of nothing, / The old bones of time / In flux of the light" (lines 16-19), suggesting that it is not just a passive backdrop to human life, but an active participant in the history and culture of Wales.
This personification of the landscape gives the poem a sense of mythic grandeur, as if the land itself is a character with a rich and complex history. It also creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity, as if the poet is speaking not just about a place, but to a person.
The Landscape as Identity
Another key theme of "Welsh Landscape" is the relationship between the landscape and Welsh identity. Throughout the poem, Thomas suggests that the land is an essential part of what it means to be Welsh, and that the people who live there are shaped by its rugged beauty and harsh conditions.
This is most evident in the final stanza, which reads:
It is the calm interlude
Of a feverous day;
For in the midst of men
Throws down the towers
And our lives with them.
Here, Thomas suggests that the landscape is a source of stability and resilience in the face of human turmoil. The "feverous day" of human activity is contrasted with the calm interlude of the landscape, suggesting that it is a refuge from the chaos and destruction of human society. The land "throws down the towers / And our lives with them," suggesting that it is a force that is capable of destroying the artificial constructs of human society, and that our lives are ultimately dependent on its mercy.
This idea is reinforced throughout the poem, as Thomas describes the landscape as "the stone agony / In which we initiate / The first principles / Of breach and the breach" (lines 7-10). Here, the landscape is not just a passive backdrop to human activity, but an active participant in it. The "stone agony" suggests the harshness and difficulty of life in Wales, but also the strength and resilience of the people who live there. The landscape is not just a physical environment, but a cultural and psychological one as well.
The Landscape as History
Finally, "Welsh Landscape" can be read as a meditation on the history and culture of Wales. Throughout the poem, Thomas references the long and complex history of Wales, from its prehistoric past to its modern struggles with industrialization and globalization.
This is most evident in the lines:
The mountains are nameless.
The Welsh hills
Beyond Wales' west border
And my own hills
I have lived in
Like a lover,
Here, Thomas suggests that the mountains themselves are a kind of historical record, bearing witness to the many people who have lived and died in Wales over the centuries. The fact that they are "nameless" suggests that this history is not something that can be easily catalogued or understood, but is an elusive and mysterious thing that can only be hinted at through the landscape itself.
This idea is reinforced throughout the poem, as Thomas describes "the old bones of time / In flux of the light" (lines 18-19) and "the bare / Places of the Republic" (lines 22-23). In both cases, the landscape is seen as a repository of history and memory, a physical embodiment of the struggles and triumphs of the Welsh people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Welsh Landscape" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of identity, place, and history. Through its vivid imagery, distinctive voice, and personification of the landscape, it creates a mythic and intimate portrait of Wales and its people. Whether you are Welsh or not, this poem is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt a deep connection to a particular landscape or place, and who has wondered about the rich and complex history that lies beneath its surface.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Welsh Landscape: A Poetic Masterpiece by R.S. Thomas
R.S. Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his profound and insightful poetry that explores the complexities of human existence and the natural world. Among his many works, "Welsh Landscape" stands out as a poetic masterpiece that captures the essence of Wales and its people. In this article, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand its significance and impact.
Themes
At its core, "Welsh Landscape" is a meditation on the relationship between nature and humanity. The poem portrays Wales as a rugged and untamed landscape that has been shaped by the forces of nature over millennia. The mountains, valleys, and rivers are depicted as ancient and timeless, existing long before humans arrived on the scene. However, the poem also suggests that humans have left their mark on the landscape, both physically and culturally.
One of the key themes of the poem is the tension between the natural and the man-made. Thomas describes the landscape as "a stone wave breaking" and "a slow sea swell," emphasizing the power and majesty of nature. However, he also notes the presence of "the ruined chapel, stone, roofless," which serves as a reminder of human intervention in the landscape. The chapel is a symbol of the religious and cultural history of Wales, but it is also a testament to the destructive power of time and neglect.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of continuity and change. Thomas portrays Wales as a place that is both ancient and modern, where the past and present coexist in a complex and dynamic relationship. He describes the landscape as "the hills' breast / Exhaling the darkness" and "the long tide / Combining our voices." These images suggest a deep connection between the land and its people, a sense of continuity that transcends time and space.
Structure
"Welsh Landscape" is a free-verse poem that consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem has a loose and flowing structure that mirrors the natural rhythms of the landscape it describes. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter allows Thomas to experiment with language and imagery, creating a sense of spontaneity and freedom.
The poem's structure also reflects its themes of continuity and change. Each stanza is a self-contained unit, but they are linked together by recurring images and motifs. For example, the first stanza describes the landscape as "a green / Hill built / On a green hill," while the final stanza repeats the phrase "the green / Hill built / On the green hill." This repetition creates a sense of circularity and completeness, suggesting that the landscape is a timeless and unchanging entity.
Language
Thomas's use of language in "Welsh Landscape" is both evocative and precise. He employs a range of poetic devices, including metaphor, simile, and personification, to create vivid and memorable images. For example, he describes the landscape as "a slow sea swell / Of a bellows," which combines the natural and the man-made in a striking and unexpected way.
The language of the poem is also notable for its musicality and rhythm. Thomas uses alliteration, assonance, and consonance to create a sense of harmony and balance. For example, he writes, "The hills are / A dynasty of waves," which uses the repetition of the "h" sound to create a sense of fluidity and movement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Welsh Landscape" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between nature and humanity. Through its themes of continuity and change, the poem suggests that the landscape is a dynamic and complex entity that is shaped by both natural and cultural forces. The poem's structure and language reflect its themes, creating a sense of harmony and balance that mirrors the rhythms of the landscape. Overall, "Welsh Landscape" is a testament to R.S. Thomas's skill as a poet and his deep connection to the land and people of Wales.
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