Author: William Ernest Henley
Like as a flamelet blanketed in smoke, So through the anaesthetic shows my life; So flashes and so fades my thought, at strife With the strong stupor that I heave and choke And sicken at, it is so foully sweet. Faces look strange from space - and disappear. Far voices, sudden loud, offend my ear - And hush as sudden. Then my senses fleet: All were a blank, save for this dull, new pain That grinds my leg and foot; and brokenly Time and the place glimpse on to me again; And, unsurprised, out of uncertainty, I wake - relapsing - somewhat faint and fain, To an immense, complacent dreamery.
Type of Poem: Sonnet
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem employs vivid imagery and striking metaphors to convey a sense of disorientation, suffering, and the struggle between consciousness and unconsciousness. The metaphor of a 'flamelet blanketed in smoke' in the opening line sets the tone, suggesting both fragility and obscurity, reflecting the speaker's state of mind. The use of 'anaesthetic' and the description of pain in a leg and foot hint at a physical trauma or illness that the speaker is enduring, adding a layer of realism to the abstract contemplation.
Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with a sense of disconnection from reality, depicted through the sudden appearances and disappearances of faces and voices. This fragmented perception of reality is further emphasized through the structure of the poem, which alternates between moments of clarity and confusion. The final lines, in which the speaker wakes 'to an immense, complacent dreamery', evoke a sense of resignation to this altered state of consciousness, perhaps suggesting a broader theme of accepting life's hardships and uncertainties. The poem's richly symbolic language, combined with its haunting exploration of physical and psychological pain, make it a powerful meditation on the human condition.
The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.
Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:
The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.