Digging (to-Day I Think)
The poem explores the sensory experience of digging in the earth, emphasizing the connection between scent and memory. The speaker reflects on the various aromas released by the soil and plants, evoking a deep appreciation for nature. The scents of dead leaves, bracken, and wild carrot seeds create a vivid atmosphere, while the act of digging stirs up the earth, releasing the fragrances of various plants like roses and currants. The imagery conveys a sense of nostalgia and the passage of time, as the speaker associates these scents with the changing seasons, particularly autumn. The mention of the robin singing adds a layer of melancholy, suggesting a bittersweet reflection on the cycle of life and death. The act of digging becomes a metaphor for uncovering memories and the beauty found in decay. The poem captures the transformative power of nature, where even the remnants of decay can yield sweetness. The speaker finds solace in the simple act of engaging with the earth, highlighting the profound connection between humanity and the natural world. The sensory details create an immersive experience, inviting readers to appreciate the richness of the environment and the emotions it evokes.
By Edward Thomas · First published 1914 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Imagism · 104 words
First lines
To-day I think Only with scents -- scents dead leaves yield, And bracken, and wild carrot's seed, And the square mustard field;
Odours that rise When the spade wounds the root of tree, Rose, currant, raspberry, or goutweed, Rhubarb or celery;
The smoke's smell, too, Flowing from where a bonfire burns The dead, the waste, the dangerous, And all to sweetness turns.
It is enough To smell, to crumble the dark earth, While the robin sings over again Sad songs of Autumn mirth.
What this Textopian page supports
Digging (to-Day I Think) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edward Thomas, dated 1914 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edward Thomas
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Imagism, Pastoral Poetry, Modernist Poetry
- Length: 104 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Similar titles
- I Never Lost As Much But Twice by Emily Dickinson
- Evening by Emily Dickinson
- The Long Small Room by Edward Thomas
- Autumn Thought by Langston Hughes
- But These Things Also by Edward Thomas
- Home by Edward Thomas
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and sensory experiences, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The work focuses on natural imagery and the sensory experience of the earth and its scents.
- Imagism — The poem employs vivid imagery and precise language to evoke sensory experiences.
- Pastoral Poetry — The themes reflect a connection to nature and rural life, typical of pastoral poetry.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Autobiography · Memoir · War · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Psychology · Self-Discovery · Identity · Memory