The Cold Night
The poem explores themes of coldness, longing, and the interplay between nature and human experience. It opens with a stark depiction of a cold night, emphasizing the stillness and isolation of the setting. The imagery of the moon and stars creates a contrast with the mundane reality of life, represented by the Police Sergeant's wife and her children. The speaker reflects on the coldness of the night, which serves as a metaphor for emotional distance and unfulfilled desires. The mention of the wife’s "bare thighs" juxtaposes innocence and sensuality, suggesting a yearning for intimacy amidst the harshness of the environment. The repetition of "It is cold" reinforces the pervasive chill, both literally and metaphorically. As the poem progresses, the speaker anticipates a change with the arrival of April, symbolizing renewal and hope. The phrase "I shall see again" indicates a longing for connection and the return of warmth, both in nature and in personal relationships. The imagery of "round and perfect thighs" evokes a sense of beauty and vitality, contrasting sharply with the coldness of the present moment. The poem ultimately captures a tension between the starkness of the current experience and the promise of future warmth and intimacy. The speaker's reflections reveal a deep emotional landscape, where the cold night serves as a backdrop for personal longing and the complexities of human relationships. The concluding exclamation, "Oya!" adds an element of urgency and desire, encapsulating the speaker's yearning for connection and the transformative power of love and nature.
By William Carlos Williams · First published 1922 · Genre: Poetry, Modernism, Lyrical · 140 words
First lines
It is cold. The white moon is up among her scattered stars -- like the bare thighs of the Police Sergeant's wife -- among her five children.
No answer. Pale shadows lie upon the frosted grass. One answer: It is midnight, it is still and it is cold. !
White thighs of the sky! a new answer out of the depths of my male belly: In April.
In April I shall see again -- In April! the round and perfect thighs of the Police Sergeant's wife perfect still after many babies.
What this Textopian page supports
The Cold Night is listed on Textopian as a poem by William Carlos Williams, dated 1922 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: William Carlos Williams
- Date: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Modernism, Lyrical, Imagism, Symbolism
- Length: 140 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
- Night by Madison Cawein
- Despair by John Gould Fletcher
- Last Days by Madison Cawein
- In Neglect by Robert Frost
- Now Close The Windows by Robert Frost
- Epitaph by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing imagery and emotional expression typical of poetry.
- Modernism — The themes of isolation and fragmented imagery reflect modernist characteristics.
- Lyrical — The personal and emotional tone suggests a lyrical quality, focusing on individual experience.
- Imagism — The vivid imagery and focus on precise language align with the principles of Imagism.
Tags
Poetry · Modernism · American Literature · Free Verse · Imagism · Nature · Winter · Cold · Isolation · Loneliness · Solitude · Existentialism