The Sound of the Day [JT1]by Norman MacCaig
When a clatter [JT2]came,
it was horses crossing the ford.
When the air creaked[JT3], it was
a lapwing seeing us off the premises
of its private marsh. A snuffling puff[JT4]
ten yards from the boat was the tide blocking and
unblocking [JT5]a hole in a rock.
When the black drums rolled, it was water[JT6]
Falling sixty feet into itself.
When[JT7] the door
scraped shut[JT8], it was the end
of all the sounds there are.[JT9]
You[JT10] left me[JT11]
beside the quietest fire[JT12] in the world.
I[JT13] thought I was hurt in my pride only,
forgetting that,
when you plunge [JT14]your hand in freezing [JT15]water,
you feel
a bangle [JT16]of ice round your wrist
before the whole hand goes numb.[JT17]
Themes
- Loneliness and isolation of narrator
- Separation between narrator and subject of the poem
- Natural and created sound
Structure
4 stanza. Brevity of stanza 2 and 3 used as a bridge; to further enforce the theme of isolation. These verses are used firstly to introduce the location of the narrator, and use the possessive “you” and “me.” Allows the poem’s subject to change from describing the natural sounds the narrator encountered during stanza 1, to the striking personal images of stanza 4 depicting the narrator’s loneliness. Allows the poem’s subject to shift from the abstract to the more personal.
The structure of each line is an iambic, with the metre varying considerably from line to line.
In stanza one there is a particularly interesting structure to each image; the “sound” is the first image we’re introduced to, which is then followed by an explanation of the source. Word choice and imagery of first few lines focuses on a harsh “c” sound; to mirror the sound of the horses. Next few lines focus on a rolling “s” sound that is reflective of the “creaking” sound of the air, and reference the soft sound of the air as the bird interacted with the narrator. The rhythm of the final few lines in the first stanza; ‘blocking and unblocking a hole in the rock,’ and ‘black drums rolled,’ created the image of the rolling waves of the sea. MacCaig is engaging with natural sounds to reinforce his imagery in the opening stanza.
[JT1]Title of the poem indicates the content will use “sound,” words to create images for the reader. Other editions of the poem I’ve found are titled A Parting, suggesting the poems connection to themes of loss
[JT2]Opening image suggesting sound, further enforced by the alliteration of first line that creates a harsh “c” sound. Poem opening with “when” suggests the narrator of the poem is reflecting on a past experience.
[JT3]Narrator opens by describing the sound, then going on to explain the source. Creates interesting structure to the poem.
[JT4]In following the structure of the poem so far, “snuffling puff” creates a softer sound image that the narrator is using to describe the sound created by the lapping tide.
[JT5]Word choice and rhythm of “blocking” and “unblocking” creates for the reader the impression of rolling waves, which links to the following image.
[JT6]In interpreting the poem in MacCaig’s home accent, the repetition of the stressed “r” round would reflect the “rolling” image for the waves MacCaig is creating.
[JT7]Reference to opening of stanza one. Change from describing outdoor or external images to a more private setting.
[JT8]Alliteration of “scraped shut.” Reference to title. Dialectic use of “shut” rather than “closed,;” further reference to MacCaig’s title as the Old Man of Scottish Poetry.
[JT9]Enjambment of the line creates stress on “end” and “all the sounds” highlighting the sense of isolation the narrator feels.
[JT10]No indication of gender of either the narrator or the subject; audience can only infer. Short first line in this stanza further emphasises the overriding theme of isolation.
[JT11]Strong declarative statement, signifying the narrators solitude
[JT12]Baron, cold image. Juxtaposes the traditional image of a fire and heath. Suggestion that since the subject of the poem has abandoned the narrator; the sound of the world left with him.
[JT13]Personal interjection from the narrator
[JT14]Word choice implies impulsive, almost violent action.
[JT15]Exaggeration, water had to be beyond merely “cold”
[JT16]Scottish colloquial term, usually implies jewellery. Comparison between aesthetic jewellery, a pleasing image, and the pain the narrator is inferring comes from the action of plunging your hand in freezing cold water.
[JT17]Closing image of the poem enforces the theme of solitude and loneliness. Narrator inferring the immediate, sharp pain one feels when confronted with loss, then futher suggesting the gradual numbing of feeling that comes with time. Conveying this image through reference to natural iamges, that relate to the first stanza of the poem.