Poem Analysis - Find Meat On Bones

Introduction: A Cry Against Decay and Control

Dylan Thomas's "Find Meat On Bones" is a turbulent and defiant poem, wrestling with themes of mortality, rebellion, and the fleeting nature of beauty and desire. The tone is initially urgent, almost desperate, evolving into a furious declaration of independence before settling into a more melancholic reflection. The poem moves between embracing earthly pleasures and railing against the forces that seek to diminish and control them, creating a dynamic and unsettling reading experience. It’s a passionate, almost desperate, grasp at life in the face of inevitable decay and societal constraints.

Context: Welsh Roots and Romantic Rebellion

While a specific historical event might not be directly referenced, Dylan Thomas’s Welsh background and his association with a neo-romantic tradition are important to consider. He often focused on personal experience and heightened emotions, rather than direct social commentary. His poetry frequently engaged with themes of nature, sexuality, and death in a highly lyrical and evocative style. This background helps explain his intense focus on the body, the cycles of nature, and a general sense of defiance against rigid structures, both societal and cosmic.

Theme 1: The Impermanence of Beauty and the Urgency of Desire

One of the poem's central themes is the transient nature of beauty and the urgent need to seize pleasure before it fades. The opening lines, "Find meat on bones that soon have none, / And drink in the two milked crags," present a stark image of fleeting youth and vitality. The speaker urges immediate gratification, emphasizing the limited time available to enjoy physical love before "the ladies' breasts are hags / And the limbs are torn." The poem is filled with imagery of decay juxtaposed with sensual descriptions, creating a sense of heightened awareness of mortality and a desperate desire to experience life fully before it slips away. The phrase "ladies are cold as stone" speaks directly to the chilling effects of time.

Theme 2: Rebellion Against Restrictive Forces

The poem is punctuated by a powerful undercurrent of rebellion. The speaker cries out against "the binding moon," "the parliament of sky," and "Autocracy of night and day." These phrases represent the forces that seek to control and limit human experience, whether they are societal norms, cosmic powers, or the inevitable march of time. This rebellious spirit extends to "the flesh and bone, / The word of the blood, the wily skin," suggesting a rejection of the inherent limitations and desires of the body itself. This is an act of challenging mortality and the confines of human existence.

Theme 3: The Internal Conflict of Passion and Destruction

The poem also explores the internal conflict between passionate desire and the potential for destruction. The speaker recounts a past encounter with a "merry girl" where he "laid her down and told her sin," a potentially ambiguous act. The introduction of the "ram rose" beside her could be interpreted as an offering of beauty or perhaps a symbol of guilt or regret. This section suggests that the pursuit of pleasure can be fraught with consequences and moral dilemmas, creating a sense of internal struggle and a recognition of the potential harm that can arise from unchecked desire. It also illustrates that while seeking to defy limitations, one is ultimately still bound to them.

Symbolism: The Ram Rose, Maggot, and the "Fiend"

The "ram rose" is a recurring symbol that can be interpreted in multiple ways. It could represent beauty and fertility, a brief moment of vibrant life amidst decay. However, it could also symbolize guilt or the acknowledgement of a transgression. The "maggot that no man can slay" likely symbolizes death and decay, a constant reminder of mortality that cannot be escaped. It's a persistent force. The "foul fiend" that howls "out of a bower of red swine" references a more traditional concept of evil and temptation, but in this context, it seems to represent the restrictive forces of societal morality and the speaker's own internal demons. Are these the speaker's personal struggles with freedom, or are they universal human battles?

Concluding Insight: A Defiant Acceptance

"Find Meat On Bones" is a complex and emotionally charged poem that grapples with fundamental questions about life, death, and freedom. While it presents a defiant rejection of restrictive forces and an urgent embrace of fleeting pleasures, it also acknowledges the inevitable decay and the potential for destruction that accompanies human desire. Ultimately, the poem seems to arrive at a bittersweet acceptance of the human condition, recognizing the limitations of existence while simultaneously celebrating the power of individual experience and the enduring spirit of rebellion.