Friday 27 July 2012

Day 35: Misinterpretation

 
Sometimes one metaphor is all it takes to address a profound theme.
 
Like in this poem, from Stevie Smith, with the infamous line, 'not waving but drowning'.
 
 
Not Waving but Drowning - Stevie Smith
 
Nobody heard him, the dead man,   
But still he lay moaning:
I was much further out than you thought   
And not waving but drowning.
 
Poor chap, he always loved larking
And now he’s dead
It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,   
They said.
 
Oh, no no no, it was too cold always   
(Still the dead one lay moaning)   
I was much too far out all my life   
And not waving but drowning.
 
 

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