Silver
by Walter De La Mare
Table of Content
Poem
Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;
From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep
Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep;
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws, and silver eye;
And moveless fish in the water gleam,
By silver reeds in a silver stream.
Introduction
Walter de la Mare (1873–1956) was an English poet, novelist, and short story writer, best known for his imaginative and often mystical writing. His works frequently explore dreams, childhood, and the mysteries of nature, making them rich in atmosphere and emotion.
"Silver" is one of Walter de la Mare's most famous poems, written in his typical style of rich imagery and subtle mystery.
In this poem, he captures the beauty of the world at night, as seen through the soft, silvery glow of the moon. De la Mare personifies the moon, making it seem alive as it silently moves through the night sky, turning everything it touches—trees, animals, water—into silver.
Through simple yet powerful descriptions, this poem creates a peaceful, dream-like atmosphere, making it a favorite for readers who appreciate nature's quieter moments.
The main theme of the poem "Silver" by Walter de la Mare is the magical transformation of nature under the light of the moon. The poem highlights how the moonlight casts a silvery glow over everything, making the ordinary world appear magical and dreamlike.
The rhyme scheme follows a consistent AABB pattern throughout. This means that each pair of consecutive lines rhymes.
Summary
In the poem "Silver" written by Walter de la Mare, the poet describes the peaceful beauty of the world under the light of the moon. The moon is imagined as silently walking through the night, covering everything with a soft, silver glow. As its light touches different parts of nature, it turns ordinary things—like trees, fruit, animals, and streams—into something magical and silvery. The poem paints a calm, quiet picture of the night, where everything seems still and dreamlike under the moon's gentle light.
Explanation
Word Notes
shoon - shoes
peers - to look closely
casements - windows
beams - rays of light
thatch - straw for covering roofs of houses
couched- to rest
kennel - a small shelter for a dog
log - trunk or a large branch of a tree that has fallen or been cut off
cote - nest for birds
scampering - run with quick light steps
gleam - shine brightly
reed - a small thin plant that grows near water
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
The poem begins by describing the moon as moving "slowly" and "silently" across the night sky. The phrase "walks the night" personifies the moon, giving it human-like qualities, as if it is gently strolling through the night.
"Silver shoon" refers to silver shoes, continuing the personification and emphasizing the silvery glow that the moon casts over everything. The moon is imagined as a gentle, graceful figure, quietly illuminating the world.
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
The moon is described as peering around, as if looking carefully at the world below. "This way, and that" suggests that the moonlight touches everything, spreading its silver light across the landscape.
The "silver fruit upon silver trees" refers to how the moonlight makes everything look silver. The fruits and trees are not actually silver, but the moonlight gives them a silvery appearance, making them seem magical and otherworldly.
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
"Casements" are windows, and they are described as catching the moon’s light "one by one." As the moon moves across the sky, its light gradually touches the windows of houses, making them shine with a silvery glow.
"Silvery thatch" refers to the roofs of houses, which are covered with thatch (a type of roofing made from straw or reeds). The moonlight makes the thatched roofs appear silver, adding to the peaceful, glowing atmosphere.
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;
A dog is described as "couched in his kennel," meaning it is lying down comfortably in its doghouse, sleeping peacefully. The comparison "like a log" suggests that the dog is sleeping deeply and still, as if it were a log.
The moonlight touches the dog, making its paws look silver. Again, this is not literal; the silver color comes from the reflection of the moonlight, which transforms everything it touches.
Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep;
"Shadowy cote" refers to a small shelter or cage where doves (a type of bird) rest. The moonlight reaches into this dark, shadowy place, illuminating the white feathers of the doves.
The phrase "silver-feathered sleep" poetically describes the doves as being covered in silver feathers, again due to the moonlight. The doves are sleeping peacefully, and their white feathers appear silvery in the moon’s light.
With silver claws, and silver eye;
A small harvest mouse is seen moving quickly or "scampering by." The moonlight touches the mouse as it moves, making its claws and eyes look silver.
The silver appearance of the mouse is another example of how the moonlight transforms ordinary creatures into something magical and enchanting.
By silver reeds in a silver stream.
Finally, the poem describes fish in the water, "moveless" because they are either still or gently drifting. The moonlight makes the fish gleam or shine with a silver light.
The "silver reeds" and "silver stream" continue the theme of everything being touched by the moonlight, turning the natural world into a scene of silvery beauty and tranquility.
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