Poem Analysis - On No Work Of Words

Introduction: A Poet's Famine

Dylan Thomas's "On No Work Of Words" is a raw and introspective exploration of a creative block. The poem begins with a feeling of barrenness, of being unable to produce art after a period of creative abundance. The tone is initially bleak and almost resentful, lamenting the poet's inability to create and the resulting sense of poverty, not just financially but spiritually. However, the poem shifts towards a defiant acceptance, culminating in a forceful assertion of his own creative power and a refusal to succumb to the creative drought. There is also a tone of anxiety; he does not know if he will have the power to create again.

Context and the Poet's Predicament

Dylan Thomas, a Welsh poet known for his passionate and intensely lyrical style, often grappled with themes of creativity, mortality, and the natural world. His boisterous lifestyle and financial struggles are well-documented, and this poem seems to directly reflect those difficulties. The "three lean months" could allude to a period where he struggled to produce any worthwhile work, exacerbating his financial worries and fueling his self-doubt. The poem, therefore, can be read as a personal reflection on the pressures of being a professional artist constantly expected to deliver.

The Barrenness of Creativity and its Impact

One of the central themes is the poverty of creative drought. Thomas uses visceral imagery, like the "bloody belly of the rich year," to depict the sense of something fertile being emptied and turned violent. The "big purse of my body" suggests that his own physical being feels depleted of creative energy. This emphasizes the intimate connection between his physical and creative well-being. He sees his body as both source and repository of his craft. When unable to create, it's as if his very life force is being consumed.

The Cycle of Giving and Receiving

The poem delves into the reciprocal nature of creativity. The lines "To take to give is all, return what is hungrily given / Puffing the pounds of manna up through the dew to heaven" highlight the idea that artistic creation is a cycle. He must receive inspiration ("what is hungrily given") in order to produce his art ("puffing the pounds of manna"). This act of giving back is presented as essential, almost a duty. But the line "The lovely gift of the gab bangs back on a blind shaft" creates doubt in his own mind about whether he can perform the cycle.

Mortality and the Cost of Surrender

The theme of mortality is intertwined with creative output. "To lift to leave from treasures of man is pleasing death / That will rake at last all currencies of the marked breath" suggests that the act of creating something lasting is a way to cheat death, to leave a mark on the world. "All currencies of the marked breath" implies that life itself is a currency, spent with each breath, and that art can somehow transcend this finite existence. The threat of succumbing to the creative block ("To surrender now is to pay the expensive ogre twice") implies that losing his creative power would be a kind of death, a diminishing of his very being. He refuses to give up.

Recurring Symbols: Sea and Wood

The poem utilizes potent symbols. The "ancient woods of my blood" symbolize his deep-rooted heritage, his inherent creative nature, and perhaps his Welsh identity. The "nut of the seas" is more ambiguous. It could represent the source of life, the primordial origin of all things, or the essential core of his creative self, hidden deep within. The imperative to "dash down to the nut of the seas" suggests a desperate plea to reconnect with this essential source, to rediscover his creative power. Does this dash mean suicide or does it mean he wants to be back in the womb of creation.

Conclusion: A Defiant Spark of Creativity

In conclusion, "On No Work Of Words" is a powerful testament to the struggles and triumphs of the creative process. The poem portrays the poet's journey from a state of creative paralysis and despair to a renewed sense of defiance and determination. It highlights the importance of the reciprocal relationship between inspiration and creation, and suggests that artistic expression is inextricably linked to life and death. The poem's enduring significance lies in its honest and unflinching portrayal of the artist's inner turmoil and the ultimate resilience of the creative spirit.