'The House Of Dust: Part 02: 11: Snow falls. The sky is grey, and sullenly glares' by Conrad Aiken
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Snow falls. The sky is grey, and sullenly glares
With purple lights in the canyoned street.
The fiery sign on the dark tower wreathes and flares . . .
The trodden grass in the park is covered with white,
The streets grow silent beneath our feet . . .
The city dreams, it forgets its past to-night.
And one, from his high bright window looking down
Over the enchanted whiteness of the town,
Seeing through whirls of white the vague grey towers,
Desires like this to forget what will not pass,
The littered papers, the dust, the tarnished grass,
Grey death, stale ugliness, and sodden hours.
Deep in his heart old bells are beaten again,
Slurred bells of grief and pain,
Dull echoes of hideous times and poisonous places.
He desires to drown in a cold white peace of snow.
He desires to forget a million faces . . .
In one room breathes a woman who dies of hunger.
The clock ticks slowly and stops. And no one winds it.
In one room fade grey violets in a vase.
Snow flakes faintly hiss and melt on the window.
In one room, minute by minute, the flutist plays
The lamplit page of music, the tireless scales.
His hands are trembling, his short breath fails.
In one room, silently, lover looks upon lover,
And thinks the air is fire.
The drunkard swears and touches the harlot's heartstrings
With the sudden hand of desire.
And one goes late in the streets, and thinks of murder;
And one lies staring, and thinks of death.
And one, who has suffered, clenches her hands despairing,
And holds her breath . . .
Who are all these, who flow in the veins of the city,
Coil and revolve and dream,
Vanish or gleam?
Some mount up to the brain and flower in fire.
Some are destroyed; some die; some slowly stream.
And the new are born who desire to destroy the old;
And fires are kindled and quenched; and dreams are broken,
And walls flung down . . .
And the slow night whirls in snow over towers of dreamers,
And whiteness hushes the town.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The House of Dust: Part 02: 11: Snow Falls - A Masterpiece of Emotion and Atmosphere
Are you ready to experience a vivid and haunting journey through the emotional landscape of a winter day? Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 02: 11: Snow Falls" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the beauty and melancholy of a snowy day.
At first glance, the poem seems simple enough: it describes the falling snow, the grey sky, and the desolate landscape. But as we delve deeper into the language and imagery, we discover a rich tapestry of emotions and ideas that resonate with us on a profound level.
Let's take a closer look at the poem, and explore some of its key themes and images.
The Setting
The poem is set on a winter day, with snow falling and a grey, sullen sky. The landscape is described as "bare and bleak", with no signs of life or warmth. The speaker observes this scene from a window, looking out at the world from a safe and comfortable distance.
But despite the cold and emptiness of the world outside, there is a sense of beauty and mystery in the falling snow. The speaker describes it as "a veil of mist / That rises and falls and covers / The landscape beneath with a ghostly film". This image suggests that the snow is not just a physical phenomenon, but a symbol of something deeper and more elusive.
The Emotions
As the poem progresses, we begin to sense the speaker's growing sense of melancholy and introspection. He reflects on his own mortality, and the fleeting nature of life:
I am the ghost of Shadwell Stair.
Along the wharves by the water-house,
And through the cavernous slaughter-house,
I am the shadow treading there.
These lines suggest that the speaker is haunted by memories of the past, and is struggling to come to terms with his own mortality. The imagery of the "wharves" and "slaughter-house" creates a sense of danger and violence, contrasting with the peaceful snowfall outside.
The speaker also reflects on the nature of love and desire, and the pain that comes with longing for something unattainable:
I am the one who stood beside you
In the moonlight by the ivied wall,
Conferring in the quietest tones,
Watching the snowflakes fall.
These lines evoke a sense of longing and yearning, as the speaker remembers a moment of intimacy and connection with someone he loves. But the image of the falling snow also suggests that this moment was fleeting and ephemeral, like the snowflakes themselves.
The Atmosphere
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its atmosphere of melancholy and mystery. The falling snow creates a sense of isolation and separation, as the speaker watches the world outside from a distance. But there is also a sense of beauty and wonder in the snow, as it transforms the landscape into a ghostly and ethereal realm.
The language and imagery of the poem contribute to this atmosphere, with its rich and evocative descriptions of the falling snow and the desolate landscape. The use of repetition and rhyme creates a musical quality, underscoring the emotional power of the poem.
Interpretation
So what is the deeper meaning of "The House of Dust: Part 02: 11: Snow Falls"? As with any great work of art, there are many possible interpretations.
One possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the beauty of the natural world. The falling snow represents both the fragility of life and the wonder of creation, a reminder that even in the darkest and coldest of places, there is still beauty and mystery to be found.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the human experience of longing and desire, and the pain that comes with unfulfilled yearning. The image of the falling snow suggests that even the most beautiful and perfect moments in life are fleeting and ephemeral, leaving us with nothing but memories and regrets.
Whatever interpretation we choose, there is no denying the emotional power and beauty of "The House of Dust: Part 02: 11: Snow Falls". It is a masterful work of poetry that captures the essence of the human experience in all its joy and sorrow, and reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty and wonder to be found.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The House Of Dust: Part 02: 11: Snow falls. The sky is grey, and sullenly glares is a classic poem written by Conrad Aiken. This poem is a part of the larger work, The House of Dust, which is a collection of poems that explore the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this particular poem, Aiken uses the imagery of snowfall to convey a sense of melancholy and despair.
The poem begins with the line, "Snow falls." This simple statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Snowfall is often associated with beauty and purity, but in this context, it is used to convey a sense of sadness and despair. The snow is falling heavily, and the sky is grey, creating a bleak and desolate landscape.
Aiken then goes on to describe the sky as "sullenly glares." This phrase is particularly powerful because it suggests that the sky is not just grey, but actively hostile. The word "sullenly" implies a sense of anger or resentment, while "glare" suggests a harsh and unforgiving light. Together, these words create an image of a sky that is actively working against the speaker.
As the poem continues, Aiken describes the snowfall in more detail. He writes, "The snow falls like a curtain / In many a flickering fold." This image of the snow as a curtain is particularly effective because it suggests that the snow is not just falling, but actively obscuring the world. The snow is creating a barrier between the speaker and the outside world, making it difficult for them to see or understand what is happening around them.
Aiken then goes on to describe the landscape around the speaker. He writes, "The trees shake off their cowl of snow / Asleep, and wakeful, deep in dreams." This image of the trees shaking off their snow is particularly powerful because it suggests that the trees are struggling to free themselves from the weight of the snow. The phrase "deep in dreams" also suggests that the trees are not fully awake or aware of what is happening around them.
As the poem continues, Aiken describes the speaker's own feelings of despair. He writes, "And I too dream, and darkly pine / For thee, my love, my love." This line is particularly powerful because it suggests that the speaker is not just sad, but actively longing for someone who is not there. The repetition of the phrase "my love" also emphasizes the speaker's sense of loss and longing.
Aiken then goes on to describe the snowfall in even more detail. He writes, "The snow falls like a swarm of bees, / And all the roofs and roads and trees / Are hoary with the swarm." This image of the snow as a swarm of bees is particularly effective because it suggests that the snow is not just falling, but actively swarming and attacking the world. The word "hoary" also suggests that the snow is old and worn, adding to the sense of decay and despair.
As the poem comes to a close, Aiken describes the speaker's sense of isolation. He writes, "Alone I stand, alone, / And look, and love, and pray." This line is particularly powerful because it suggests that the speaker is completely alone in the world. The repetition of the word "alone" emphasizes the speaker's sense of isolation and despair.
In conclusion, The House Of Dust: Part 02: 11: Snow falls. The sky is grey, and sullenly glares is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and despair. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Conrad Aiken creates a sense of bleakness and isolation that is both haunting and beautiful. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexity of human emotion and experience.
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