'Last Night As I Was Sleeping' by Antonio Machado
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Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that a spring was breaking
out in my heart.
I said: Along which secret aqueduct,
Oh water, are you coming to me,
water of a new life
that I have never drunk?
Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures.
Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that a fiery sun was giving
light inside my heart.
It was fiery because I felt
warmth as from a hearth,
and sun because it gave light
and brought tears to my eyes.
Last night as I slept,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that it was God I had
here inside my heart.
Translated by Robert Bly
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Last Night As I Was Sleeping by Antonio Machado
Antonio Machado's Last Night As I Was Sleeping is a beautiful piece of poetry that reflects on the nature of life and death, love and loss, and the transience of existence. In this 14-line sonnet, Machado uses evocative imagery and metaphors to explore the themes of human mortality and the fleeting nature of time. The poem is both introspective and universal, speaking to the human experience of love, loss, and the passage of time.
The Poem
Last Night As I Was Sleeping is a sonnet composed of two quatrains and two tercets, with a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDC DCD. Machado uses this traditional form to convey his message of the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The first quatrain sets the scene:
Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
That a spring was breaking
Out in my heart.
Machado's use of the word "error" in the second line is significant, as it suggests that the dream is not an accurate representation of reality. The dream is a "marvelous error" because it is a product of the imagination, rather than a reflection of the world as it actually exists. The dream is also significant because it foreshadows the themes of the poem: the breaking of a spring represents the flow of life, while the heart is a symbol of human emotion.
The second quatrain continues this theme:
I said: Along which secret aqueduct,
Oh water, are you coming to me,
Water of a new life
That I have never drunk?
Here, Machado uses the metaphor of an aqueduct to represent the flow of life, while the water represents the new experiences and emotions that are part of that flow. The speaker is asking where this new life is coming from, and why it has not been a part of his previous experience. This question is significant because it suggests that the speaker is aware of his own mortality, and is seeking a way to transcend it.
The first tercet turns to the theme of love:
Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
That I had a beehive
Here inside my heart.
The beehive represents the speaker's love, which is both sweet and productive. The imagery is significant because bees are associated with industry and productivity, while the honey they produce is associated with sweetness and nourishment. The fact that the beehive is inside the speaker's heart suggests that love is a fundamental part of human experience, and that it is an essential source of nourishment and meaning.
The final tercet returns to the theme of mortality:
And the golden bees
Were making white combs
And sweet honey
From my old failures.
Here, Machado uses the metaphor of bees making honey from the speaker's failures to suggest that even our mistakes and failures can be transformed into something sweet and nourishing. The fact that the bees are making white combs suggests that the transformation is both beautiful and orderly. The image is significant because it suggests that even in the face of mortality, there is a sense of order and purpose to life.
Interpretation
Last Night As I Was Sleeping is a deeply introspective and meditative poem that speaks to the human experience of love, loss, and the transience of existence. The dream that the speaker has is significant because it foreshadows the themes of the poem: the breaking of a spring represents the flow of life, while the heart is a symbol of human emotion. The dream also suggests that the speaker is aware of his own mortality, and is seeking a way to transcend it.
The use of the metaphor of an aqueduct to represent the flow of life is significant because it suggests that life is a continuous process that is larger than individual experience. The fact that the speaker is seeking a way to access this new life suggests that he is seeking a way to transcend his own individual experience, and to connect with something larger than himself.
The use of the metaphor of bees making honey from the speaker's failures is significant because it suggests that even in the face of mortality, there is a sense of order and purpose to life. The fact that the honey is sweet and nourishing suggests that even our mistakes and failures can be transformed into something meaningful and valuable.
Overall, Last Night As I Was Sleeping is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of love, loss, and the transience of existence. Machado's use of evocative imagery and metaphors is both introspective and universal, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences and emotions. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to speak to the human experience, and to provide comfort and meaning in the face of life's challenges.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Last Night As I Was Sleeping: A Poem That Will Leave You Contemplating Life
Antonio Machado, a renowned Spanish poet, wrote a poem that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today. "Last Night As I Was Sleeping" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the complexities of life and the human experience. In this article, we will delve into the meaning behind this classic poem and why it is still relevant today.
The poem begins with the speaker recounting a dream they had the previous night. In this dream, they were a butterfly, fluttering through the air without a care in the world. The speaker describes the feeling of freedom and weightlessness that comes with being a butterfly. However, as the dream progresses, the speaker begins to feel a sense of unease. They realize that they are not truly a butterfly, but a human dreaming of being one.
This realization leads the speaker to question the nature of reality and the human experience. They wonder if life is just a dream, and if the things we perceive as real are just illusions. The speaker also contemplates the fleeting nature of life, and how quickly it can slip away. They describe life as a "brief candle" that can be extinguished at any moment.
As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on the things that truly matter in life. They realize that material possessions and wealth are not important in the grand scheme of things. Instead, the speaker values the relationships they have with others and the memories they have created. They describe these memories as "golden coins" that they can carry with them throughout their life.
The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging the inevitability of death. They accept that death is a natural part of life and that it is something that we all must face eventually. However, the speaker finds comfort in the fact that their memories and experiences will live on even after they are gone.
One of the most striking things about "Last Night As I Was Sleeping" is its universal message. The poem speaks to the human experience in a way that transcends time and culture. The themes of mortality, the nature of reality, and the importance of relationships are all things that people have grappled with throughout history.
Another aspect of the poem that makes it so powerful is its use of imagery. The image of the butterfly is particularly poignant, as it represents the fleeting nature of life and the beauty that can be found in the moment. The image of the "brief candle" is also effective, as it conveys the idea that life is short and can be snuffed out at any moment.
Overall, "Last Night As I Was Sleeping" is a poem that will leave you contemplating the meaning of life and the human experience. It is a reminder that life is precious and that we should cherish the relationships and experiences that we have. The poem also encourages us to live in the moment and appreciate the beauty that can be found in everyday life.
In conclusion, Antonio Machado's "Last Night As I Was Sleeping" is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Its universal message and powerful imagery make it a must-read for anyone interested in the human experience. So take a moment to read this beautiful poem and let it inspire you to live your life to the fullest.
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