'On A Wedding Anniversary' by Dylan Thomas


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The sky is torn across
This ragged anniversary of two
Who moved for three years in tune
Down the long walks of their vows.Now their love lies a loss
And Love and his patients roar on a chain;
From every tune or crater
Carrying cloud, Death strikes their house.Too late in the wrong rain
They come together whom their love parted:
The windows pour into their heart
And the doors burn in their brain.

Editor 1 Interpretation

On A Wedding Anniversary: A Study of Dylan Thomas' Poetic Style

Oh, Dylan Thomas! How can one not fall in love with his words and the way he creates beautiful imagery that transports us to different worlds? His poems are like a dream, with each word painting a picture that lingers long after we finish reading it. And one such poem that captures Thomas' poetic style perfectly is "On A Wedding Anniversary".

A Brief Introduction

As the name suggests, "On A Wedding Anniversary" is a poem that celebrates the anniversary of a wedding. But what makes this poem stand out is the way Thomas uses nature to highlight the beauty and significance of the occasion. In this poem, the speaker compares the couple's love to the changing seasons and the cycle of life and death, making us realize that love is eternal and transcends time.

The Structure of the Poem

Before we delve into the deeper meanings of the poem, let's take a look at its structure. "On A Wedding Anniversary" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and pattern. Thomas uses the Petrarchan sonnet form, which is divided into two parts: an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines).

In the octave, Thomas describes the beauty of nature and how it changes with the seasons. He uses this imagery to highlight the transience of life, how everything comes and goes, but love remains constant. In the sestet, the speaker addresses the couple directly, telling them that their love is like a flame that will never die.

The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of the Petrarchan sonnet. This strict structure gives the poem a sense of order and control, which is in contrast to the theme of love, which is often portrayed as wild and uncontrollable.

The Use of Nature Imagery

One of the most striking features of "On A Wedding Anniversary" is the use of nature imagery. In the octave, Thomas describes the changing seasons, from the "green and golden" spring to the "red and golden" autumn. He then moves on to describe the cycle of life and death, with "The swallow of summer, she toils all the summer" and "The owl of winter, she toils all the winter".

This imagery serves to highlight the transience of life, how everything comes and goes. But even as the seasons change and the birds come and go, the love between the couple remains constant, like an "eternal flame".

In the sestet, the speaker addresses the couple directly, telling them that their love is like a "lion in the velvet hills", strong and fierce yet gentle and loving. The use of this imagery gives the poem a sense of grandeur and majesty, elevating the love between the couple to something that is timeless and eternal.

The Use of Language

Another aspect of Thomas' poetic style that stands out in "On A Wedding Anniversary" is his use of language. His words are carefully chosen to create vivid imagery that transports us to a different world. For example, when he describes the "gold harvest" of autumn, we can almost see the fields of wheat swaying in the breeze.

Thomas also uses a lot of alliteration and assonance in the poem, which gives it a musical quality. For example, "golden groin" and "green and golden" in the first stanza, and "lion in the velvet hills" in the sestet. This use of sound helps to create a sense of unity and harmony, which is in keeping with the theme of love.

The Message of the Poem

So what is the message of "On A Wedding Anniversary"? At its core, the poem is an ode to love, celebrating its eternal nature and its ability to transcend time. It reminds us that even as everything around us changes, love remains constant, like an "eternal flame" that can never be extinguished.

But the poem also serves as a warning, reminding us that love requires effort and commitment. The speaker tells the couple that their love is like a lion, strong and fierce yet gentle and loving. This suggests that love can be both powerful and dangerous, and that we must take care to nurture it and keep it alive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "On A Wedding Anniversary" is a beautiful poem that celebrates the eternal nature of love. Through his use of nature imagery and carefully chosen words, Dylan Thomas reminds us that love is like an "eternal flame" that can never be extinguished, even as everything around us changes. It is a reminder that we must take care to nurture our love and keep it alive, for it is the most precious thing we have.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On A Wedding Anniversary: A Celebration of Love and Life

Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his lyrical and evocative poetry that captures the essence of life and love. One of his most celebrated works is "Poetry On A Wedding Anniversary," a poem that celebrates the enduring love between two people who have been married for many years. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this beautiful poem and understand why it continues to resonate with readers today.

The poem begins with a simple and yet profound statement: "The sky is torn across." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid and powerful imagery that captures the beauty and complexity of life. The sky, which is often seen as a symbol of infinity and eternity, is torn across, suggesting that even the most enduring things in life can be fragile and vulnerable.

The next few lines of the poem describe the scene of a wedding anniversary celebration. The guests are gathered around the couple, who are "old and gray." The use of the word "gray" suggests that the couple has lived a long and full life, and yet they are still together, still in love. The guests are described as "young and gay," which creates a contrast between the old and the young, the past and the present, and the joy and the sorrow that are all part of life.

The poem then moves on to describe the couple themselves. They are described as "two bright stars," which suggests that they are still shining brightly, even after all these years. The use of the word "bright" also suggests that they have lived a life filled with joy and happiness, and that their love has only grown stronger over time. The stars are also a symbol of eternity, suggesting that their love will endure forever.

The next few lines of the poem describe the couple's journey through life. They have "walked hand in hand" through all the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, the triumphs and failures. They have faced the challenges of life together, and their love has only grown stronger as a result. The use of the phrase "hand in hand" suggests that they have always been there for each other, supporting and comforting each other through thick and thin.

The poem then moves on to describe the beauty of the natural world. The "moon and the stars" are described as "the gifts you have kept," suggesting that the couple has always appreciated the beauty of nature and has found joy and solace in it. The use of the word "kept" suggests that they have treasured these gifts and have always been grateful for them.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The poet addresses the couple directly, saying "May you live to see / All your wishes come true." This is a wish for happiness and fulfillment, a hope that the couple will continue to find joy and love in each other and in the world around them. The use of the word "live" suggests that life is a precious gift, and that we should cherish every moment of it.

In conclusion, "Poetry On A Wedding Anniversary" is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the enduring love between two people who have been married for many years. The poem is filled with vivid and evocative imagery that captures the beauty and complexity of life, and the language is lyrical and poetic. The poem is a celebration of love and life, and a reminder that even in the midst of all the challenges and difficulties of life, love can endure and flourish.

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