'Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright' by Dylan Thomas


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Sometimes the sky's too bright,
Or has too many clouds or birds,
And far away's too sharp a sun
To nourish thinking of him.
Why is my hand too blunt
To cut in front of me
My horrid images for me,
Of over-fruitful smiles,
The weightless touching of the lip
I wish to know
I cannot lift, but can,
The creature with the angel's face
Who tells me hurt,
And sees my body go
Down into misery?
No stopping. Put the smile
Where tears have come to dry.
The angel's hurt is left;
His telling burns.

Sometimes a woman's heart has salt,
Or too much blood;
I tear her breast,
And see the blood is mine,
Flowing from her, but mine,
And then I think
Perhaps the sky's too bright;
And watch my hand,
But do not follow it,
And feel the pain it gives,
But do not ache.

Editor 1 Interpretation

#Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Dylan Thomas, a Welsh poet, wrote a vast collection of poems that explored the themes of life, death, and the beauty of nature. One of his most famous poems is "Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright," which embodies the struggle between life and death. The poem is a reflection of Thomas' perception of life, and how it can sometimes be too brilliant for him to bear.

The poem begins with a simple statement, "Sometimes the sky's too bright." This line is a metaphor for the way life can sometimes become overwhelming. It is a poetic representation of the struggle between light and darkness, and how sometimes, the light can be too much for us to handle. The bright sky is a symbol of hope, happiness, and life, but it can also be a burden that we are forced to carry.

Thomas then goes on to say, "Or has too many clouds or birds, / And far away's too sharp a sun / To nourish eyes with, love with?." Here, Thomas is suggesting that sometimes, life is too complicated, and we find ourselves lost in the chaos of it all. The clouds and birds represent the distractions of life, and the sharp sun represents the harsh realities that we have to face.

As the poem progresses, Thomas becomes more introspective, reflecting on his own mortality. He says, "Unsuicideable, / The night receives us as its own." This line is a powerful statement about the inevitability of death. No matter how much we try to avoid it, death is an inescapable part of life. The night represents the darkness of death, which is something that we all must face at some point.

Thomas then goes on to say, "And the moon, down a dark street, / Shines over the slums, / Silent and white and apart." Here, Thomas is commenting on the isolation of death. The moon, which is often associated with romance and beauty, shines over the slums, which represent the darker side of life. The moon is silent and white, representing the quietness and purity of death.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most beautiful and poignant. Thomas says, "As we step over a puddle, one by one, / Great music echoes to us / From the other side of the sky." Here, Thomas is suggesting that there is something beyond death, something that we cannot see but can feel. The great music is a metaphor for the beauty and wonder of the afterlife, which is something that we can only experience after we have left this world.

In conclusion, "Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the beauty of nature. Thomas' use of metaphor and symbolism creates a vivid and powerful image of the struggle between light and darkness. The poem is a timeless reminder of the inevitability of death, and the beauty that lies beyond it. It is a testament to the human spirit and our enduring quest for meaning and purpose in life. As Thomas himself said, "Do not go gentle into that good night, / Old age should burn and rave at close of day; / Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright: A Masterpiece of Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his unique style and vivid imagery. His poem, Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and death, love and loss, and the beauty of the natural world. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the line, "Sometimes the sky's too bright," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is acknowledging that even the most beautiful things in life can be overwhelming at times. The sky, which is often associated with freedom and limitless possibilities, can be too much to bear. This line also introduces the idea of contrast, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The second stanza continues with the theme of contrast, as the speaker describes the "white and dazzling" clouds against the "black and deep" sea. This contrast between light and dark, white and black, is a reflection of the duality of life. The speaker is acknowledging that life is not always easy, and that there are moments of darkness and difficulty that must be faced.

The third stanza introduces the idea of mortality, as the speaker describes the "little boats" that "cannot hold life's tide." This is a metaphor for the fragility of life, and the inevitability of death. The boats are a symbol of human life, which is fleeting and temporary. The tide represents the passage of time, which cannot be stopped or controlled.

The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as the speaker describes the "great birds" that "fly the endless skies." These birds are a symbol of freedom and transcendence, and represent the possibility of escape from the limitations of human life. The speaker longs to be like these birds, to be able to fly away from the constraints of mortality and experience the limitless possibilities of the universe.

The fifth stanza returns to the theme of contrast, as the speaker describes the "black and white" of the "world's delight." This is a reminder that even the most beautiful things in life are not always perfect, and that there is always a shadow side to everything. The world's delight is not always pure and innocent, but can be tainted by darkness and pain.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker returns to the idea of the sky being too bright. However, this time the speaker is not overwhelmed by the brightness, but rather embraces it. The speaker acknowledges that life is full of contrasts and contradictions, but that these are what make it beautiful. The brightness of the sky represents the possibility of hope and renewal, even in the face of darkness and despair.

The imagery in Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright is vivid and powerful, and helps to convey the themes of the poem. The contrast between light and dark, white and black, is a recurring motif that reflects the duality of life. The sea, boats, and birds are all symbols that represent different aspects of the human experience, from mortality to transcendence. The language of the poem is also rich and evocative, with phrases like "white and dazzling," "black and deep," and "fly the endless skies" painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

In conclusion, Sometimes The Sky's Too Bright is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of life and death, love and loss, and the beauty of the natural world. Dylan Thomas's use of contrast, imagery, and language create a powerful and evocative piece that speaks to the human experience. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and a reminder of the beauty and complexity of life.

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