'I Dreamed My Genesis' by Dylan Thomas


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I dreamed my genesis in sweat of sleep, breaking
Through the rotating shell, strong
As motor muscle on the drill, driving
Through vision and the girdered nerve.

From limbs that had the measure of the worm, shuffled
Off from the creasing flesh, filed
Through all the irons in the grass, metal
Of suns in the man-melting night.

Heir to the scalding veins that hold love's drop, costly
A creature in my bones I
Rounded my globe of heritage, journey
In bottom gear through night-geared man.

I dreamed my genesis and died again, shrapnel
Rammed in the marching heart, hole
In the stitched wound and clotted wind, muzzled
Death on the mouth that ate the gas.

Sharp in my second death I marked the hills, harvest
Of hemlock and the blades, rust
My blood upon the tempered dead, forcing
My second struggling from the grass.

And power was contagious in my birth, second
Rise of the skeleton and
Rerobing of the naked ghost. Manhood
Spat up from the resuffered pain.

I dreamed my genesis in sweat of death, fallen
Twice in the feeding sea, grown
Stale of Adam's brine until, vision
Of new man strength, I seek the sun.

Editor 1 Interpretation

I Dreamed My Genesis: A Poetic Journey of Creation

Dylan Thomas was a Welsh poet who was known for his unique style of writing that blended surrealism and modernism. His poetry often explored complex themes and emotions through vivid imagery and rich language. "I Dreamed My Genesis" is one of his most famous works, and it is a powerful exploration of the creative process and the human experience.

The Poem

"I Dreamed My Genesis" is a short poem consisting of only fourteen lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is packed with meaning and imagery. It begins with the speaker describing a dream in which he witnessed the creation of the world. He goes on to describe the various stages of creation, from the formation of the stars to the birth of humanity.

The poem is divided into two stanzas. The first stanza describes the creation of the universe, while the second stanza focuses on the creation of humanity. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid language and surreal imagery to convey the majesty and wonder of the creative process.

The Creative Process

At its core, "I Dreamed My Genesis" is a poem about the creative process. The speaker describes how the world was created through a series of stages, each more complex than the last. This mirrors the process of artistic creation, in which an idea is first conceived and then brought to life through a series of steps.

The poem also explores the idea that creativity is a mysterious and powerful force, beyond the control of the artist. The speaker describes how the universe "thundered like a kept hare" and how "the earth bellowed" as it was formed. This suggests that the creative process is not a calm and orderly one, but rather one that is chaotic and unpredictable.

The Human Experience

In addition to exploring the creative process, "I Dreamed My Genesis" also touches on the human experience. The second stanza of the poem focuses on the creation of humanity, and the speaker uses vivid language to describe the birth of the first humans.

The speaker describes how the first humans were "born of the sea foam" and how they stood "in the lightning and thunder." This imagery suggests that humans are intimately connected to the natural world and that we are shaped by the forces of nature.

The final line of the poem - "And I heard, as I lay dreaming, the single hoof of the white horse of peace" - is particularly powerful. This line suggests that even in the midst of chaos and turmoil, there is hope for peace and unity.

Interpretation

"I Dreamed My Genesis" is a complex and multi-layered poem, and there are many different ways to interpret its meaning. One interpretation is that the poem is a celebration of the creative process and the power of imagination. The speaker describes how the universe was created through a series of steps, each more complex than the last, and this mirrors the process of artistic creation.

Another interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the nature of humanity. The speaker suggests that humans are intimately connected to the natural world and that we are shaped by the forces of nature. The final line of the poem - "And I heard, as I lay dreaming, the single hoof of the white horse of peace" - suggests that even in the midst of chaos and turmoil, there is hope for peace and unity.

Conclusion

"I Dreamed My Genesis" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the creative process and the human experience. Through vivid language and surreal imagery, Dylan Thomas captures the wonder and mystery of the creative process, and he suggests that even in the midst of chaos and turmoil, there is hope for peace and unity. This poem is a testament to the power of the written word and the enduring legacy of one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

I Dreamed My Genesis: A Poetic Journey Through Creation

Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his vivid and imaginative language, and his poem "I Dreamed My Genesis" is no exception. This poem takes the reader on a journey through the creation of the world, from the perspective of the poet's dream. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this classic poem.

The poem begins with the line "I dreamed my genesis in sweat of sleep," which immediately sets the tone for the dreamlike quality of the poem. The use of the word "genesis" is significant, as it refers to the beginning of something, in this case, the creation of the world. The phrase "sweat of sleep" is also interesting, as it suggests that the poet is working hard in his dream, as if he is actively participating in the creation of the world.

The first stanza of the poem describes the creation of the earth, with the lines "I dreamed the earth, in tooth and claw, / Burrowed and bit and would not shake / Loose till I dreamed my Genesis." The use of the words "tooth and claw" suggests a violent and primal creation, as if the earth was created through a struggle for survival. The phrase "would not shake loose" also implies that the creation of the earth was not an easy process, but rather a difficult and arduous one.

The second stanza of the poem describes the creation of the sea, with the lines "I dreamed the sea, in fury and foam, / That flung me down in its undertow / And drowned me in its depths." The use of the words "fury and foam" suggests a wild and unpredictable creation, as if the sea was created through a violent and chaotic process. The phrase "undertow" also implies a sense of danger and unpredictability, as if the sea is a force to be reckoned with.

The third stanza of the poem describes the creation of the sky, with the lines "I dreamed the sky, in thunder and rain, / That shook me loose from earth and stone / And left me free to dream again." The use of the words "thunder and rain" suggests a powerful and dramatic creation, as if the sky was created through a stormy and tumultuous process. The phrase "left me free to dream again" also implies a sense of liberation and freedom, as if the creation of the sky has opened up new possibilities for the poet.

The fourth and final stanza of the poem describes the creation of humanity, with the lines "I dreamed mankind, in smoke and fire, / That shrieked and sparked and flew apart / And left me with an empty heart." The use of the words "smoke and fire" suggests a destructive and violent creation, as if humanity was created through a process of destruction and chaos. The phrase "left me with an empty heart" also implies a sense of disappointment and disillusionment, as if the creation of humanity has not lived up to the poet's expectations.

Overall, "I Dreamed My Genesis" is a powerful and evocative poem that takes the reader on a journey through the creation of the world. The use of vivid imagery and language creates a dreamlike quality that draws the reader in and immerses them in the poet's vision. The themes of violence, chaos, and disappointment are also significant, as they suggest that the creation of the world was not an easy or straightforward process, and that humanity has not lived up to its potential. Despite these themes, however, the poem also suggests a sense of hope and possibility, as if the creation of the world has opened up new opportunities for growth and transformation.

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