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.