Once it was the Colour of Saying
The narrative revolves around a young boy's struggle to come to terms with the death of his mother and the complexities of growing up amidst the turmoil of war. The story explores themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a world torn apart by conflict. Through the protagonist's experiences, the text delves into the psychological effects of trauma on individuals and communities, highlighting the fragility of human existence and the importance of preserving emotional connections in the face of adversity.
By Dylan Thomas · First published 1944 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist, Symbolism · 151 words
First lines
Once it was the colour of saying Soaked my table the uglier side of a hill With a capsized field where a school sat still And a black and white patch of girls grew playing;
The gentle seaslides of saying I must undo That all the charmingly drowned arise to cockcrow and kill.
When I whistled with mitching boys through a reservoir park Where at night we stoned the cold and cuckoo Lovers in the dirt of their leafy beds,
The shade of their trees was a word of many shades And a lamp of lightning for the poor in the dark; Now my saying shall be my undoing, And every stone I wind off like a reel.
What this Textopian page supports
Once it was the Colour of Saying is listed on Textopian as a poem by Dylan Thomas, dated 1944 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: 1944 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Modernist, Symbolism, Surrealism
- Length: 151 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Once it was the Colour of Saying by Dylan Thomas
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Modernist — The themes and style reflect modernist characteristics, including a focus on subjective experience and a break from traditional forms.
- Symbolism — The text employs symbolic language and imagery to convey deeper meanings beyond the literal.
- Surrealism — The work contains surreal elements, blending reality with dream-like scenarios and abstract concepts.
Tags
Poetry · Verse · Narrative · Stream-of-consciousness · Autobiographical · Confessional · Emotional · Introspective · Psychological · Exploratory · Lyrical · Imagistic