Lament by Dylan Thomas (1946)
The poem explores the speaker's emotional turmoil and sense of loss following a personal tragedy. It expresses a deep longing for the deceased and a struggle to come to terms with their absence. The language is rich in imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, conveying the intensity of the emotions. The tone is one of anguish, regret, and despair.
By Dylan Thomas · First published 1946 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist, Confessional · 673 words
First lines
When I was a windy boy and a bit And the black spit of the chapel fold, (Sighed the old ram rod, dying of women), I tiptoed shy in the gooseberry wood,
The rude owl cried like a telltale tit, I skipped in a blush as the big girls rolled Ninepin down on the donkeys' common, And on seesaw sunday nights I wooed Whoever I would with my wicked eyes,
What this Textopian page supports
Lament 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, Confessional, Pastoral, Symbolism
- Length: 673 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as rhyme, meter, and vivid imagery.
- Modernist — The poem reflects Modernist themes with its complex structure, introspective tone, and exploration of existential themes.
- Confessional — The poem delves into personal experiences and emotions, revealing intimate aspects of the speaker's life.
- Pastoral — There are elements of nature and rural life depicted, though they are often juxtaposed with darker themes.
Tags
Poetry · Autobiographical · Biographical · Memoir · Autofiction · Literary Fiction · Wales · Welsh Literature · 20th Century · Modernism · Stream-of-Consciousness · Experimental