Ballad of the Long-Legged Bait by Dylan Thomas
The poem explores themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of life through a narrative that juxtaposes the speaker's own aging process with the image of a long-legged bait, symbolizing the passing of time. The poem's structure and language are characterized by a sense of urgency and fragmentation, reflecting the disintegration of the self in the face of death. Through the use of imagery and metaphor, the poem conveys a sense of desperation and longing for connection with something enduring, as the speaker grapples with the inevitability of their own demise.
By Dylan Thomas · First published 1946 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist, Symbolism · 2,057 words
First lines
The bows glided down, and the coast / Blackened with birds took a last look / At his thrashing hair and whale-blue eye; / The trodden town rang its cobbles for luck.
Then goodbye to the fishermanned / Boat with its anchor free and fast / As a bird hooking over the sea, / High and dry by the top of the mast, / Whispered the affectionate sand
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Modernist — The text exhibits characteristics of Modernist literature, including complex imagery, abstract themes, and a departure from traditional narrative forms.
- Symbolism — The poem is rich in symbolic language, using objects and actions to convey deeper meanings and themes.
- Mythological — The work incorporates mythological references and themes, drawing on archetypal stories and characters.
Tags
Poetry · Narrative Verse · Autobiographical · Coming-of-Age · Literary Fiction · Wales · Welsh Culture · Fishing · Angling · Nature · Existentialism · Philosophy
What this Textopian page supports
Ballad of the Long-Legged Bait is listed on Textopian as a poem by Dylan Thomas, dated 1946 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Dylan Thomas
- Date: 1946 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Modernist, Symbolism, Mythological, Surrealism
- Length: 2,057 words
- Structure: 1 section, 71 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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