'Counting Sheep' by Russell Edson
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A scientist has a test tube full of sheep. He
wonders if he should try to shrink a pasture
for them.
They are like grains of rice.
He wonders if it is possible to shrink something
out of existence.
He wonders if the sheep are aware of their tininess,
if they have any sense of scale. Perhaps they think
the test tube is a glass barn ...
He wonders what he should do with them; they
certainly have less meat and wool than ordinary
sheep. Has he reduced their commercial value?
He wonders if they could be used as a substitute
for rice, a sort of wolly rice . . .
He wonders if he shouldn't rub them into a red paste
between his fingers.
He wonders if they are breeding, or if any of them
have died.
He puts them under a microscope, and falls asleep
counting them . . .
Editor 1 Interpretation
Counting Sheep: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you tired of counting sheep in your head when you can't sleep? Have you ever wondered what those sheep represent? Russell Edson's poem, "Counting Sheep," might have some answers for you. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the poem's meaning, symbolism, and its impact on the reader.
Overview of the Poem
"Counting Sheep" is a short poem, consisting of only eight lines, published in Russell Edson's book, "The Tunnel: Selected Poems of Russell Edson." The poem's structure is simple, with each line having only four words. The poem's simplicity, however, belies its depth and complexity of meaning, which we shall explore in this interpretation.
Counting sheep,
the shepherd fell asleep,
the sheep went wandering
over the hills and far away,
their little hooves
tinkling like bells
in the silence of the night,
until the shepherd woke.
Analysis of the Poem
At its most basic level, "Counting Sheep" is a poem about sheep and a shepherd. However, a closer reading reveals a deeper meaning, with the sheep and the shepherd acting as symbols for different ideas.
Symbolism of Sheep
On a surface level, sheep are often associated with sleep, hence the phrase "counting sheep" which is used to help people fall asleep. However, in the poem, the sheep represent something more than just a tool for sleep. They represent the thoughts and ideas that fill our minds when we are trying to sleep.
The poem describes the sheep as wandering over the hills and far away, with their little hooves tinkling like bells in the silence of the night. This imagery conjures up a sense of restlessness and the inability to quiet one's mind. The sheep are not just a flock of animals but a symbol for the thoughts that keep us up at night, wandering in our heads.
Symbolism of Shepherd
The shepherd in the poem represents the conscious mind, the part of us that tries to control our thoughts and keep them in check. The act of counting sheep is a way to exercise control over our thoughts, to corral them and guide them in a particular direction.
The poem describes the shepherd as falling asleep, which is a metaphor for the failure of our conscious mind to control our thoughts. When we fall asleep, we lose control over our thoughts, and they wander freely, like the sheep in the poem.
Symbolism of Silence
The silence of the night in the poem represents the absence of external stimuli, the quietness that allows our thoughts to become louder and more insistent. The tinkling of the sheep's hooves in the silence of the night is a powerful image that highlights the way our thoughts can become amplified when there is nothing else to distract us.
Interpretation of the Poem
"Counting Sheep" is a poem about the struggle to control our thoughts, especially when we are trying to sleep. The poem suggests that our thoughts are like a flock of sheep that cannot be easily corralled and controlled, even by our conscious minds. The act of counting sheep is a way to exercise control over our thoughts, but it is ultimately ineffective because our thoughts are too unruly and restless.
The poem also suggests that the absence of external stimuli, such as noise, can exacerbate the restlessness of our thoughts. When there is no other distraction, our thoughts become louder and more insistent, like the tinkling of the sheep's hooves in the silence of the night.
Overall, "Counting Sheep" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to a universal experience. We have all struggled with the restlessness of our thoughts at one time or another, and this poem captures that experience in a way that is both simple and profound.
Impact of the Poem
"Counting Sheep" is a poem that has had a significant impact on readers since its publication. Its universal themes and relatable imagery have resonated with many people, making it a popular choice for readings and discussions.
One of the things that make "Counting Sheep" so impactful is its simplicity. The poem is short and easy to read, but it also contains a depth of meaning that can be plumbed by those willing to look beneath the surface.
The poem's use of symbolism is also a significant factor in its impact. The sheep and the shepherd are powerful symbols that speak to our struggles with control over our thoughts. The silence of the night is another symbol that highlights the way our thoughts can become louder and more insistent when there is nothing else to distract us.
Overall, "Counting Sheep" is a poem that has had a profound impact on readers, and it will likely continue to be a popular and meaningful piece of literature for many years to come.
Conclusion
Russell Edson's "Counting Sheep" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the struggle to control our thoughts when we are trying to sleep. The poem uses symbolism and imagery to create a relatable and impactful experience for readers, highlighting the restlessness of our thoughts and the difficulty of controlling them.
Through its simplicity and depth of meaning, "Counting Sheep" has had a significant impact on readers, resonating with many people and providing a powerful commentary on the human experience. It is a poem that will continue to be relevant and meaningful for many years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Counting Sheep: A Surreal Journey into the Mind of Russell Edson
If you're a fan of surrealism, then you've probably heard of Russell Edson. He's a poet who's known for his unique style of writing, which often blurs the line between reality and fantasy. One of his most famous poems is "Counting Sheep," which takes the reader on a journey through a dreamlike landscape. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes and meanings.
First, let's take a look at the poem itself:
Counting Sheep
A scientist has a test tube full of sheep semen, a priest has a test tube full of sheep urine.
A poet has a test tube full of sky.
He looks at the sky and imagines a white ewe galloping through the clouds.
He writes a poem about it.
The scientist and the priest laugh at the poet.
They say he's wasting his time.
But the poet doesn't care.
He knows that the sky is full of sheep, and that they're all waiting to be counted.
At first glance, "Counting Sheep" seems like a nonsensical poem. It's full of strange images and characters, and it's not immediately clear what the poem is trying to say. However, if we look closer, we can see that there are several themes at play here.
One of the most obvious themes in the poem is the idea of imagination. The poet is able to look at the sky and see something that the scientist and the priest cannot. He sees a white ewe galloping through the clouds, and he's inspired to write a poem about it. This is a powerful statement about the importance of creativity and imagination. The poet is able to see things that others cannot, and he's able to turn those visions into something beautiful.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of perception. The scientist and the priest see the world in a very different way than the poet does. They see test tubes full of bodily fluids, while the poet sees the sky as a test tube full of something much more abstract. This is a commentary on how we all see the world in different ways, and how our perceptions can shape our understanding of reality.
The poem also touches on the idea of value. The scientist and the priest laugh at the poet and tell him that he's wasting his time. They don't see the value in what he's doing. However, the poet knows that what he's doing is important. He sees the sky as full of sheep waiting to be counted, and he knows that his work is valuable. This is a statement about how we assign value to different things, and how our perceptions of value can be very different from one another.
Finally, the poem touches on the idea of the surreal. The images in the poem are strange and dreamlike, and they don't always make sense. However, this is part of what makes the poem so powerful. It's a journey into the surreal landscape of the poet's mind, and it's a reminder that sometimes the most interesting things can come from the most unexpected places.
In conclusion, "Counting Sheep" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores several themes related to imagination, perception, value, and the surreal. It's a journey into the mind of Russell Edson, and it's a reminder that sometimes the most interesting things can come from the most unexpected places. If you're a fan of surrealism, then this is a poem that you won't want to miss.
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