Summary of the Poem Every Morning I Wake by Dylan Thomas [Class 12 NEB]

The poem “Every Morning I Wake” written by Thomas Hood is an extract from Under the Milk Wood. In this poem, the poet talks about God’s grandeur. Thomas, in the poem, prays to the magnificent God to have mercy on ordinary inhabitants living under the Milk Wood. He requests to have mercy upon them because they are poor creatures whose life is uncertain and they don’t know what may happen to them shortly.

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About the poet Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas was born on October 27, 1914, in Swansea, Wales. His father was a dock worker, and his mother worked as a piano teacher. Both of Thomas’s parents were very involved in the arts and music; it is said that Thomas inherited his love of language from his mother, while his passion for music came from his father. As such, poetry and literature were well-known influences in Thomas’s life from the beginning, especially through his father’s love of the Welsh poets Lewis Carroll and William Shakespeare and the English poet Robert Browning.

A short summary of the poem Every Morning I Wake

The poem “Every Morning I Wake” has been written by Dylan Thomas. The speaker in the poem is praying to God. In this poem, the persona prays to the magnificent God to have mercy on ordinary and poor creatures (inhabitants) living under the Milk Wood. So, the poem can be read as a prayer to God. Through the poem, the poet highlights the magnificence of God.

A detailed summary of the poem Every Morning I Wake

The speaker in the poem prays to the magnificent God every morning when he/she wakes up. He requests God to have mercy upon all the living creatures on the earth who are supposed to die sooner or later. Through this first stanza, the poet highlights the omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent God.

As the sun sets and the living creatures go to sleep, the speaker worries about whether they would be able to see the following day or not. So, the speaker again prays to God and asks for a blessing to save their life throughout the night. In this second stanza, the poet highlights the fate of all the living creatures on the earth who are uncertain of what happens to them in the near future. The speaker is not sure what may happen to their life after sleeping at night. This stanza also focuses on the uncertainty of life and death.

The speaker, then, admits that the people who live under Milk Wood are not wholly bad or good. So, he pleads to God to see their best side and not the worst ones. In this third stanza, the poet praises God’s kind nature towards all the living creatures who see the positive aspects and excuse the bad sides.

Finally, the speaker begs God to let them seem another day by blessing them all the night. He bides goodbye to the setting sun just for now. It means that the speaker wishes to see the sunrise the next morning too. In this last stanza, the poet emphasizes the all-knowing and all-powerful God who decides and permits living creatures to continue their life on the earth.

Every Morning I Wake by Dylan Thomas Class 12 Exercise and Question Answer

Understanding the text 

Answer the following questions.

When does the speaker pray to the Lord?

The speaker prays to the Lord every morning when he wakes up and every evening at sun-down.

 

What does the speaker pray for?

The speaker prays for God to watch over all the people in the town. He asks for mercy and blessings to ensure their safety through the night and into the next day.

Who are the ‘poor creatures’? Why does the speaker call them ‘poor creatures’?

The 'poor creatures' are the ordinary people living in Milk Wood. The speaker calls them 'poor creatures' because life can be uncertain and challenging. This term reflects the speaker's empathy for the struggles and difficulties faced by the townspeople.

 

What does Milk Wood sound like? A type of wood or a place? Why?

Milk Wood is a place, not a type of wood. It's a small Welsh town where the poem is set, capturing the essence of the community and its daily life. It doesn't refer to a material made of wood.

Why do the inhabitants of Milk Wood bow to the setting sun ‘but just for now’?

The inhabitants of Milk Wood bow to the setting sun 'just for now.' This act symbolizes their respect and gratitude for the day that has passed. They acknowledge the beauty of the sunset and express hope for another day to come.

Reference to the context

Discuss “Every Morning When I Wake” as a prayer to the God.

"Every Morning When I Wake" is like a special talk the poet has with God. It's a prayer where the poet asks God to watch over all the people in the town called Llareggub. The poet wants God to be kind to everyone and keep them safe. In the poem, the speaker feels that God is the best listener and protector, so he shares his thoughts and hopes with God every morning and evening.

Why does the speaker make a prayer to the God, but not to a king, a billionaire or a scientist?

The speaker chooses to talk to God in the prayer because God is seen as someone very special and caring. Unlike a king, billionaire, or scientist, God is thought to have the power to watch over everyone and see the good in them. The poet believes that God's kindness is greater than any other person's, making Him the best choice to talk to.

 

How does the poet highlight the magnificence of the God?

The poet shows that God is magnificent by calling Him "Dear Lord" and asking for His mercy. This makes God seem important and loving. The use of words like "Dear Lord" highlights the special relationship the poet feels with God, emphasizing God's greatness and compassion.

How does the rhyme scheme of the poem reinforce its message?

The poem's rhyme scheme, where certain lines sound similar, helps make the prayer feel rhythmic and comforting. This makes the message of asking for God's kindness more memorable and touching. The rhyming words create a musical flow, making the prayer feel like a beautiful song that stays in the speaker's heart, reminding him to be hopeful and kind.