Born in Swansea, Wales, Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) is famous for his acutely lyrical and emotional poetry. “Every Morning I Wake” is an extract from Under the Milk Wood. In this poem, Thomas prays to the magnificent God to have mercy on ordinary inhabitants living under the Milk Wood (a wooded area in the hills above a Welsh seaside village of Llaggerub in Dylan Thomas’ play Under Milk Wood). The poem captures a simple yet profound meditation on the fleeting nature of life, the struggle between good and evil within each of us, and the hope for divine compassion and protection.
SUMMARY:
Dylan Thomas’s poem “Every Morning When I Wake” is a deeply reflective and prayerful meditation on the human condition, mortality, and the quest for divine protection and mercy. Through simple yet profound language, Thomas explores the cycle of daily life, the precariousness (uncertainness) of existence, and the complexities of human nature. The poem’s structure, moving from morning to night, mirrors the natural rhythm of life, imbuing (penetrate/riddle) the text with a universal resonance (the quality in a sound of being good).
The poem opens with the speaker’s morning ritual, where they begin the day with a prayer to God. This prayer is described as “little,” suggesting a humble and perhaps childlike faith. The speaker’s request is straightforward: they ask God to keep a “loving eye” on “all poor creatures born to die.” Here, Thomas introduces the central theme of mortality. By referring to living beings as “poor creatures,” he emphasizes their vulnerability and the inevitability of death. The phrase “born to die” starkly (in sharp outline) reminds readers of the transient (short lived) nature of life, framing existence as a fleeting journey that is destined to end.
The universality of the prayer is notable; the speaker does not pray only for themselves but extends their plea to encompass all living beings. This reflects a sense of empathy and a recognition of the shared fate that binds all creatures. The invocation of God’s “loving eye” suggests a belief in a compassionate and benevolent (kind) deity, one who watches over the world with care and concern. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where the speaker’s relationship with the divine is one of trust and hope.
As the day progresses, the poem shifts to the evening, where the speaker offers another prayer, this time for the community. The setting sun symbolizes the end of the day, a time of reflection and uncertainty. The speaker asks for a “blessing on the town,” extending their concern to the wider community. The town represents the collective life of the people, with all its complexities and interwoven destinies. By praying for the town, the speaker acknowledges the interconnectedness of human lives and the importance of communal well-being.
The line “For whether we last the night or no” introduces a note of uncertainty, highlighting the unpredictability of life. The phrase “touch-and-go” further emphasizes the precariousness (uncertainty) of existence, suggesting that survival is often a matter of chance. This recognition of life’s fragility is a recurring theme in Thomas’s work, where the boundary between life and death is always thin and uncertain.
Thomas then delves into the moral complexities of human nature with the lines, “We are not wholly bad or good / Who live our lives under Milk Wood.” Here, the speaker acknowledges that people are a mixture of good and bad qualities. The reference to “Milk Wood” ties the poem to Thomas’s famous play Under Milk Wood, a portrayal of a small, close-knit community with all its quirks (strange) and contradictions. By stating that no one is entirely good or bad, the speaker offers a nuanced (refinement) understanding of humanity, recognizing the duality that exists within everyone.
The poem then turns to the speaker’s relationship with God, expressing a belief that the divine will see the “best side” of people rather than their worst. This reflects a hope for divine mercy and forgiveness, a desire to be judged kindly despite one’s flaws. The speaker’s confidence in God’s benevolence (kindness) is clear, as they trust that the divine will look beyond human imperfections and focus on their virtues.
The final stanza of the poem is a plea for life to continue. The speaker asks to “see another day” and prays for a blessing over the night. This prayer for survival reflects the ever-present tension between life and death. The speaker’s wish to “see another day” is both a simple hope and a profound expression of the desire for life to go on, despite its inherent uncertainties.
The closing lines of the poem, “And to the sun we all will bow / And say, good-bye – but just for now!” capture the cyclical nature of life. Bowing to the sun symbolizes respect for the natural order and the cycles that govern existence. The farewell to the sun is temporary, suggesting that life, like the day, will continue. The phrase “just for now” implies that even though each day must end, there is always the promise of a new beginning, a continuation of the cycle of life.
In conclusion, Dylan Thomas’s poem “Every Morning When I Wake” is a meditation on the fragility of life, the complexity of human nature, and the hope for divine protection and understanding. Through the structure of the poem, which mirrors the daily cycle from morning to night, Thomas explores the universal themes of mortality, empathy, and the quest for meaning in a world that is both beautiful and unpredictable. The poem’s simple language belies its depth, offering readers a poignant reflection on the human experience.
SHORT SUMMARY:
Dylan Thomas’s poem "Every Morning When I Wake" reflects on the daily cycle of life, the uncertainties of existence, and the complexities of human nature. The speaker begins each day with a humble prayer, asking God to watch over all living creatures, recognizing that life is fragile and temporary.
As the day ends, the speaker prays for the well-being of their community, acknowledging that life is unpredictable and survival is not guaranteed. The poem also highlights that people are a mix of good and bad, and the speaker hopes that God will see their good qualities rather than their flaws.
The final part of the poem expresses a desire for life to continue, with the speaker hoping to see another day. The poem closes on a hopeful note, acknowledging that while each day must end, there is always the promise of a new beginning. Overall, the poem explores themes of mortality, empathy, and the search for meaning in life.
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