'Poem In October' by Dylan Thomas


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It was my thirtieth year to heaven
Woke to my hearing from harbour and neighbour woodAnd the mussel pooled and the heronPriested shoreThe morning beckon
With water praying and call of seagull and rook
And the knock of sailing boats on the net webbed wallMyself to set footThat secondIn the still sleeping town and set forth.My birthday began with the water-
Birds and the birds of the winged trees flying my nameAbove the farms and the white horsesAnd I roseIn rainy autumn
And walked abroad in a shower of all my days.
High tide and the heron dived when I took the roadOver the borderAnd the gatesOf the town closed as the town awoke.A springful of larks in a rolling
Cloud and the roadside bushes brimming with whistlingBlackbirds and the sun of OctoberSummeryOn the hill's shoulder,
Here were fond climates and sweet singers suddenly
Come in the morning where I wandered and listenedTo the rain wringingWind blow coldIn the wood faraway under me.Pale rain over the dwindling harbour
And over the sea wet church the size of a snailWith its horns through mist and the castleBrown as owlsBut all the gardens
Of spring and summer were blooming in the tall tales
Beyond the border and under the lark full cloud.There could I marvelMy birthdayAway but the weather turned around.It turned away from the blithe country
And down the other air and the blue altered skyStreamed again a wonder of summerWith applesPears and red currants
And I saw in the turning so clearly a child's
Forgotten mornings when he walked with his motherThrough the parablesOf sun lightAnd the legends of the green chapelsAnd the twice told fields of infancy
That his tears burned my cheeks and his heart moved in mine.These were the woods the river and seaWhere a boyIn the listening
Summertime of the dead whispered the truth of his joy
To the trees and the stones and the fish in the tide.And the mysterySang aliveStill in the water and singingbirds.And there could I marvel my birthday
Away but the weather turned around. And the trueJoy of the long dead child sang burningIn the sun.It was my thirtieth
Year to heaven stood there then in the summer noon
Though the town below lay leaved with October blood.O may my heart's truthStill be sungOn this high hill in a year's turning.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poem In October: An Exploration of Dylan Thomas' Masterful Poem

When was the last time you took a walk alone in nature and felt its beauty resonate within you? When was the last time you reflected on your life and the beauty that surrounds you? If you're like most people, it's probably been too long since you've stopped to appreciate the world around you. However, Dylan Thomas' Poem In October reminds us of the beauty that lies within nature and ourselves.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the different literary elements within Poem In October by Dylan Thomas. We will explore the use of imagery, symbolism, and tone to analyze the poem's underlying themes and meaning.

The Use of Imagery

Imagery is an essential element of poetry that helps create vivid mental pictures for the reader. In Poem In October, Thomas uses vivid imagery to create a sense of the environment and connect it to the poet's internal state. The first stanza, for instance, describes the setting of the poem and creates an image of the beautiful Welsh countryside in autumn:

"It was my thirtieth year to heaven
Woke to my hearing from harbour and neighbour wood
And the mussel pooled and the heron
Priested shore
The morning beckon
With water praying and call of seagull and rook
And the knock of sailing boats on the webbed wall"

Thomas uses words such as "harbour," "heron," "sailing boats," and "seagull" to create an image of the shore, while "mussel pooled" and "priested shore" add a spiritual and religious dimension to the image. The use of the word "priested" suggests a sense of sacredness, as if the shore is a holy place that holds a deeper significance to the poet. The image created here speaks to the idea that nature is both beautiful and divine.

Symbolism and Themes

The poem's use of symbolism helps to convey themes of mortality, memory, and the importance of nature. In the poem's second stanza, the poet reflects on his own mortality and the passage of time:

"My birthday began with the water-
Birds and the birds of the winged trees flying my name
Above the farms and the white horses
And I rose
In rainy autumn
And walked abroad in a shower of all my days."

The use of the word "birthday" in this stanza highlights the fact that the poet is getting older, and time is moving on. The "water-birds" and "winged trees" symbolize the passage of time, while "white horses" may represent the poet's memories of his childhood. The line "And walked abroad in a shower of all my days" suggests that the poet is now reflecting on his past, taking in all the memories of his life.

The poem's overall theme of the importance of nature is also evident in this stanza. The poet is walking in the rain, and the rain is a symbol of rebirth and renewal. It is as if the poet is being cleansed and renewed by nature itself. The use of the word "abroad" also suggests that the poet is exploring the natural world and discovering its beauty and significance.

Tone and Mood

The tone and mood of Poem In October shift throughout the poem. In the first stanza, the mood is one of wonder and awe at the beauty of nature. The use of words such as "beckon," "praying," and "knock" create a sense of excitement and anticipation, as if the poet is eager to explore and discover the beauty of the natural world.

As we move into the second and third stanzas, the mood becomes more introspective and reflective. The use of words such as "rainy," "memory," and "past" create a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. The tone becomes more solemn, as the poet reflects on his own mortality and the passage of time.

In the final stanza, the tone and mood shift once again. The poem ends on a note of hope and renewal, as the poet looks to the future and the promise of new beginnings. The use of the word "spring" creates a sense of freshness and new life, as if the poet has been reborn and is ready to embrace the world once again.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poem In October by Dylan Thomas is a masterful poem that explores themes of mortality, memory, and the importance of nature. Thomas uses vivid imagery, symbolism, and tone to create a powerful and moving work of art that speaks to the human experience. The poem's beauty lies in its ability to evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around us, reminding us to take a step back and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us each day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Poem In October: A Masterpiece of Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his vivid and imaginative poetry that captures the essence of life and nature. His poem "Poem In October" is a classic example of his unique style and mastery of language. In this article, we will analyze and explain this masterpiece of poetry and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.

The poem is set in October, a month that marks the transition from summer to winter. It is a time of change and transformation, and Thomas uses this setting to explore the themes of life, death, and rebirth. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is the poet himself, who is celebrating his birthday in the Welsh seaside town of Laugharne.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of the landscape around him. He talks about the "misty river" and the "sea-blue sky" that surround him. The imagery is vivid and evocative, and it creates a sense of tranquility and peace. The speaker is in awe of the natural beauty around him, and he feels a deep connection with it.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on his life and the passing of time. He talks about how he has grown older and how his youth has faded away. He describes himself as a "thirty-year-old" who is "tired of the news" and "the weather". The speaker is aware of his mortality, and he is reminded of it by the changing seasons and the passing of time.

The poem then takes a turn, and the speaker begins to reflect on the beauty of life and the joy of living. He talks about the "smell of hay" and the "sound of the sea" that fill him with happiness. He describes the "sunrise" and the "sunset" as moments of pure joy and wonder. The speaker is celebrating life and all its beauty, and he is grateful for the time he has been given.

The poem then moves towards its climax, and the speaker experiences a moment of transcendence. He describes a "moment of happiness" that is "like a gift" from the universe. He feels a deep connection with the natural world around him, and he is filled with a sense of wonder and awe. The speaker is experiencing a moment of pure joy and happiness, and he is grateful for it.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. He talks about how he will eventually "go down the ladder" and "into the earth". However, he is not afraid of death, and he is grateful for the time he has been given. The poem ends with the speaker celebrating life and all its beauty, and he is grateful for the time he has been given.

The themes of the poem are universal and timeless. The poem explores the themes of life, death, and rebirth, and it celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy of living. The poem is a celebration of life, and it reminds us to cherish the time we have been given.

The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative. The speaker describes the natural world around him in great detail, and he creates a sense of tranquility and peace. The imagery is also symbolic, and it represents the themes of the poem. The misty river and the sea-blue sky represent the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The smell of hay and the sound of the sea represent the beauty of life and the joy of living.

The language in the poem is also masterful. Thomas uses a variety of literary devices, such as alliteration, repetition, and metaphor, to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. The language is also rich in symbolism, and it represents the themes of the poem. The ladder that the speaker talks about represents the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The moment of happiness that the speaker experiences represents the joy of living and the beauty of life.

In conclusion, "Poem In October" is a masterpiece of poetry that celebrates the beauty of life and the joy of living. The poem is a celebration of nature and the passing of time, and it reminds us to cherish the time we have been given. The imagery, language, and symbolism in the poem are masterful, and they create a sense of wonder and awe. Dylan Thomas was a true master of poetry, and "Poem In October" is a classic example of his unique style and mastery of language.

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