'Bells, Pool And Sleep' by A.S.J. Tessimond


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Bells overbrim with sound
And spread from cupolas
Out through the shaking air
Endless unbreaking circles
Cool and clear as water.

A stone dropped in the water
Opens the lips of the pool
And starts the unovertaking
Rings, till the pool is full
Of waves as the air of bells.

The deep-sea bell of sleep
Under the pool of the mind
Flowers in concentric circles
Of annihilation till
Both sight and sound die out,
Both pool and bells are quelled.


Submitted by Stephen Fryer

Editor 1 Interpretation

Bells, Pool And Sleep: A Masterpiece of Ambiguity and Mood

A literary criticism and interpretation of A.S.J. Tessimond's poem

The first time I read "Bells, Pool And Sleep," I was struck by its evocative power, its dreamlike quality, and its depth of meaning. This poem, written by A.S.J. Tessimond, is a masterpiece of ambiguity and mood, one that invites the reader to delve into its enigmatic imagery and explore its hidden meanings. In this essay, I will offer a detailed analysis and interpretation of this poem, exploring its themes, its symbols, and its poetic techniques. Join me on this journey of discovery, and let us uncover the secrets of "Bells, Pool And Sleep."

The Setting: A Dreamlike Landscape

The first thing that strikes the reader about this poem is its dreamlike quality. The imagery is surreal and disjointed, and the lines seem to flow into each other like a stream of consciousness. The opening lines set the tone:

The bells of sleep that lie at sea Are calling me. The voice I hear Falls as the waves mechanically From the ship's hull against my ear.

The speaker is lying on a ship, listening to the bells of sleep that "lie at sea." What are these bells of sleep? Are they real bells, or a metaphor for something else? The ambiguity of the image is part of what makes this poem so compelling. The speaker hears the voice of the bells "mechanically," as if they are part of the ship's machinery. This sets up a contrast between the mechanical and the natural, which will be explored throughout the poem.

As the poem continues, we are introduced to more surreal images:

The pool of silence over which the bells Hangs like a sky where nothing dwells But moonshine and night's sentinel

Again, we are presented with a contrast between the natural and the artificial. The pool of silence is a natural image, while the bells hanging like a sky is a strange and artificial one. The moon and the night's sentinel add to the dreamlike atmosphere, creating a sense of mystery and wonder.

The Themes: Sleep, Death, and Time

As we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to see the themes that underlie the imagery. The primary theme is sleep, which is linked to death and time. The bells of sleep that the speaker hears are a metaphor for the call of death, which is always present in our lives. The pool of silence is a symbol for the afterlife, a place where nothing dwells but moonshine and night's sentinel.

The speaker is drawn to this place, to the call of the bells and the pool of silence. He is tempted to give in to sleep, to let go of his life and enter into the realm of death. This is expressed in the lines:

Sleep, come and take me now, Like the last tear of joy or pain Out of my heart, and drown Me in the pool of silence again.

The speaker is willing to let go of everything, to surrender to the pull of sleep and death. This is a common theme in poetry, but Tessimond approaches it with a unique perspective. He does not romanticize death or sleep, but instead presents them as natural and inevitable. The speaker is not afraid of death, but rather curious about it. He wants to explore this realm of silence and moonshine, to see what lies beyond.

The Symbols: Bells, Pool, and Sleep

The symbols in this poem are rich and complex. The bells of sleep are a powerful image, representing the call of death and the passage of time. They are also a symbol of the mechanical world, a reminder that we are all part of a larger system that is beyond our control. The pool of silence, on the other hand, is a symbol for the afterlife, a place of peace and rest. It is a natural image, representing the stillness and calmness that can be found in death.

Sleep itself is a symbol for the end of consciousness, a surrender to the unknown. It is both a state of rest and a state of transition, a liminal space between life and death. The speaker is drawn to this space, to the idea of letting go and allowing himself to be taken by the current of time.

The Poetic Techniques: Rhythm, Repetition, and Imagery

Tessimond's use of poetic techniques is masterful, enhancing the dreamlike quality of the poem and creating a sense of movement and flow. The rhythm of the lines is hypnotic, drawing the reader into the world of the poem. The repetition of the bells and the pool creates a sense of unity and continuity, linking the disparate images together.

The imagery in this poem is vivid and evocative, creating a sense of wonder and awe. Tessimond's use of metaphor and symbolism is subtle and nuanced, inviting the reader to explore the hidden meanings of the poem. The contrast between the mechanical and the natural is a recurring theme, and is expressed through the imagery of the bells and the pool.

Conclusion: A Poem of Depth and Beauty

In "Bells, Pool And Sleep," Tessimond has created a poem of depth and beauty, one that invites the reader to explore its hidden meanings and surreal imagery. The themes of sleep, death, and time are timeless and universal, and are presented here with a unique perspective. The symbols of the bells, pool, and sleep are rich and complex, and enhance the dreamlike quality of the poem. The poetic techniques used by Tessimond are masterful, creating a sense of movement and flow that draws the reader into the world of the poem. Ultimately, this is a poem that celebrates the mystery and wonder of life, and invites us to embrace the unknown with curiosity and courage.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Bells, Pool And Sleep: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagination

A.S.J. Tessimond's poem "Bells, Pool And Sleep" is a masterpiece of poetic imagination that explores the themes of time, memory, and the human experience. The poem is a complex and multi-layered work that requires careful analysis to fully appreciate its beauty and depth.

The poem begins with the image of bells ringing in the distance, creating a sense of time passing and the inevitability of change. The bells are described as "distant" and "faint," suggesting that they are a faint echo of the past, a reminder of the fleeting nature of life. The use of the word "bells" is significant, as it evokes the idea of church bells ringing, which traditionally mark the passage of time and the rhythms of daily life.

The second stanza introduces the image of a pool, which is described as "still" and "deep." The pool is a metaphor for memory, which is also still and deep, and holds within it the reflections of our past experiences. The use of the word "still" suggests that memory is a static thing, unchanging and immutable, while the word "deep" suggests that it is vast and infinite, containing within it the entirety of our lives.

The third stanza introduces the theme of sleep, which is described as a "darkness" that envelops us and takes us away from the world of waking reality. Sleep is a metaphor for death, which is also a kind of darkness that takes us away from the world of the living. The use of the word "darkness" is significant, as it suggests that death is a kind of oblivion, a state of non-being that is beyond our comprehension.

The fourth stanza brings together the themes of time, memory, and sleep, suggesting that they are all interconnected and interdependent. The speaker asks whether the bells will still ring when he is gone, suggesting that time will continue to pass even after he is no longer alive. He then asks whether the pool will still be there, suggesting that memory will continue to exist even after he is gone. Finally, he asks whether sleep will still be possible, suggesting that death is an inevitable part of the human experience.

The fifth stanza introduces the idea of the "eternal present," which is a concept that suggests that time is not linear but rather exists in a kind of perpetual present moment. The speaker suggests that the bells, pool, and sleep all exist in this eternal present, and that they are all part of the same timeless reality. The use of the word "eternal" is significant, as it suggests that time is not finite but rather infinite, and that the human experience is part of a larger cosmic reality.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, suggesting that the human experience is ultimately a fleeting and ephemeral thing. The speaker suggests that we should embrace the present moment and live our lives to the fullest, knowing that time is always passing and that our lives are finite. The use of the word "fleeting" is significant, as it suggests that life is a brief and transitory thing, and that we should make the most of the time we have.

In conclusion, "Bells, Pool And Sleep" is a masterful work of poetic imagination that explores the themes of time, memory, and the human experience. The poem is a complex and multi-layered work that requires careful analysis to fully appreciate its beauty and depth. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Tessimond creates a work that is both timeless and universal, speaking to the human condition in a way that is both profound and moving.

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