Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions and experiences that are difficult to articulate in everyday language. One such experience is the dark time of day, when the sun has set and darkness has enveloped the world. The dark time of day has been a common theme in poetry throughout history, with poets using it to explore a range of emotions, from fear and despair to hope and renewal.
The Fear of the Unknown
For many poets, the dark time of day represents the fear of the unknown. In the absence of light, everything becomes obscured and uncertain. This is beautifully expressed in W.B. Yeats' poem "The Second Coming," where he writes:
"Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned;" Source: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43290/the-second-coming
Here, the darkness represents a breakdown of order and civilization, with the falcon becoming a symbol for humanity's inability to control its own destiny.
The Beauty of the Night
Despite the fear and uncertainty that the dark time of day can evoke, many poets also find beauty and inspiration in it. The night sky, with its stars and moon, has long been a source of wonder and enchantment for poets throughout history. In Emily Dickinson's poem "We grow accustomed to the Dark," she writes:
"We grow accustomed to the Dark ??? When light is put away ??? As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp To witness her Goodbye ???" Source: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/56824/we-grow-accustomed-to-the-dark
Here, the darkness is not something to be feared, but rather something to be embraced and made familiar. The neighbor holding the lamp becomes a symbol for the light that guides us through the darkness.
The Renewal of the Dawn
For many poets, the dark time of day represents a time of renewal and rebirth. Just as the darkness can be frightening and uncertain, so too can it be a time of reflection and growth. In Robert Frost's poem "Acquainted with the Night," he writes:
"I have been one acquainted with the night. I have walked out in rain???and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light." Source: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47548/acquainted-with-the-night
Here, the darkness is a place of solitude and introspection, where one can be alone with their thoughts and feelings. The rain becomes a symbol for the cleansing and renewal that can come from facing one's fears and doubts.
Conclusion
Whether it is a source of fear, beauty, or renewal, the dark time of day has been a rich and varied theme in poetry throughout history. From ancient epics to modern free verse, poets have used the darkness to explore a range of emotions and experiences that are difficult to articulate in everyday language. By tapping into the power of metaphor and symbolism, they have helped us to see the world in new and profound ways.
