Der Mann Im Keller

By Eugene Field

Lyric Poem
    How cool and fair this cellar where     My throne a dusky cask is;     To do no thing but just to sing     And drown the time my task is.     The cooper he's     Resolved to please,     And, answering to my winking,     He fills me up     Cup after cup     For drinking, drinking, drinking.     Begrudge me not     This cosy spot     In which I am reclining--     Why, who would burst     With envious thirst,     When he can live by wining.     A roseate hue seems to imbue     The world on which I'm blinking;     My fellow-men--I love them when     I'm drinking, drinking, drinking.     And yet I think, the more I drink,     It's more and more I pine for--     Oh, such as I (forever dry)     God made this land of Rhine for;     And there is bliss     In knowing this,     As to the floor I'm sinking:     I've wronged no man     And never can     While drinking, drinking, drinking.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem portrays a speaker's intimate relationship with wine, using it as a metaphor for life itself. The overall tone is light-hearted and jovial, characterized by the speaker's joyful acceptance of his role as a merry drinker. The poem's structure, composed of four quatrains, lends a rhythmic, song-like quality that enhances the celebratory mood.

The thematic emphasis on wine reflects the speaker's desire for escape and contentment in a world he views through a rose-tinted lens. The repetition of the phrase "drinking, drinking, drinking" underscores the speaker's immersion in this hedonistic pursuit. The line "A roseate hue seems to imbue / The world on which I'm blinking" uses color symbolically to represent the speaker's intoxicated perspective, painting a picture of a world transformed by wine.

The speaker's claim that he loves his fellow-men when he's drinking, and his assertion that he's never wronged anyone while in this state, suggest a dual nature to his drinking: on one hand, it's a source of camaraderie and harmless pleasure; on the other, it's a potential escape from guilt and responsibility. This dichotomy gives the otherwise light-hearted poem a subtle undertone of complexity and melancholy, hinting at a deeper exploration of the human condition. The poem, therefore, beautifully balances humor and introspection, shedding light on the universal human desire to find joy and escape from life's burdens.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.