Poem Analysis - If My Head Hurt A Hairs Foot

Introduction: A Descent into Despair and Acceptance

Dylan Thomas's "If My Head Hurt A Hair's Foot" is a dense and emotionally charged poem exploring themes of love, loss, and the inevitability of death. The poem plunges the reader into a state of distress and defiance, initially marked by violent imagery and a refusal to compromise. However, a shift occurs towards resignation and a somber acceptance of fate, culminating in a bleak yet poignant conclusion. The tone moves from aggressive resistance to a weary pronouncement of finality, highlighting the speaker's journey through grief and despair.

Rebellion Against Love's Torment

One of the central themes is the painful nature of love and the speaker's struggle against its potential for suffering. The opening stanzas are filled with violent imagery, suggesting a desperate attempt to escape emotional torment. Lines like "Sooner drop with the worm of the ropes round my throat / Than bully ill love in the clouted scene" demonstrate a willingness to embrace death rather than endure a love that causes pain. The "cockfight" metaphor further reinforces this idea, portraying love as a brutal and competitive arena where only suffering awaits. The speaker's willingness to engage in self-destructive acts—"comb the snared woods with a glove on a lamp, / Peck, sprint, dance on fountains and duck time"—underscores the lengths to which they will go to avoid the perceived cruelty of love. He will do anything before he confronts this "ghost with a hammer" and ends up in a loud, bloody room.

Mortality's Grim Embrace

The theme of mortality permeates the poem, particularly in the later stanzas. The speaker confronts the inevitability of death and its impact on both themselves and a lost loved one. The lines "The grave and my calm body are shut to your coming as stone, / And the endless beginning of prodigies suffers open" convey a sense of finality and the irreversible nature of death. The image of the "grain that hurries this way from the rim of the grave" symbolizes the relentless march of time and the inescapable approach of the end. The speaker acknowledges that death is not only their own destiny but also the destiny of the "lost love," creating a shared experience of mortality. The "dust-appointed grain" reinforces the idea that death is an inescapable appointment for all.

Isolation and Loss: A Lament for What Is Gone

The poem also explores the theme of isolation, particularly in the context of grief and loss. The speaker's anguish is palpable, highlighting the profound sense of separation from the lost loved one. The phrase "O my lost love bounced from a good home" expresses a deep sorrow and a sense of injustice at the separation. The image of being "husked of gestures" and finding "joy like a cave" suggests a profound emptiness and a loss of vitality. The speaker feels isolated not only in their grief but also in their understanding of death and its consequences, creating a sense of profound loneliness. This loneliness is amplified by the finality of death, which offers no return and no escape from the "dust-appointed grain."

Symbolism of "Grain" and Water

The recurring symbol of "grain" is significant, representing both life and death. As mentioned earlier, the "grain that hurries this way from the rim of the grave" symbolizes the progression towards death. However, it also suggests potential for new life, as grain is essential for growth and sustenance. This duality creates a complex and ambiguous image, reflecting the cyclical nature of existence. Water imagery appears as well. "Heaven's host of waters breaks" is an apocalyptic symbol. "At the breast stored with seas" evokes birth and the ocean, a connection to both life and oblivion. Is there an ambiguous connection between the speaker's body and both the grave and the seas?

Conclusion: A Bleak Acceptance

In conclusion, "If My Head Hurt A Hair's Foot" is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that grapples with the difficult themes of love, loss, and mortality. Through vivid imagery and shifts in tone, Dylan Thomas creates a compelling portrait of a speaker struggling with grief and ultimately confronting the inevitability of death. The poem's significance lies in its raw and honest exploration of these universal themes, offering a bleak yet poignant reflection on the human condition. It reveals the human spirit's initial resistance to loss, followed by a somber acceptance of life's finality.