Poem No. 1 - The Rain (HSSC-1)

FBISE, HSSC - 1, English Notes

Poem No. 1 - The Rain (HSSC-1)

Summary, Theme, Paraphrase, Questions and Answers

I hear leaves drinking rain; 

I hear rich leaves on top 

Giving the poor beneath 

Drop after drop; 

‘tis a sweet noise to hear 

These green leaves drinking near. 

And when the sun comes out, 

After this rain shall stop, 

A wondrous light will fill 

Each dark, round drop; 

I hope the sun shines bright; 

It will be a lovely sight. 

(W.H. Davies)

The Theme of the Poem "The Rain"

It is a beautiful poem written in simple language by W.H Davies. The poem really gives a picture of nature with musical display of rain which is a great phenomenon of nature. It is not only a poem with simple direct meaning but it has also a symbolic meaning. According to the poet the leaves on the upper level get the rain drops first and quench their thirst. And then they pass on the drops to the leaves at the level beneath. Here we have some underlying meaning. These lines may give a metaphorical meaning too; the rich people at the upper level get a valuable opportunity first and whatever remains trickles bit by bit down to the poor people at the level beneath.  By using the images rain and sunlight, the poet actually presents the reality of life. Life is a blend of joy and sorrow. Nevertheless, the scene of the sunshine afterwards, is wonderfully lovely and fascinating. It is a great source of of pleasure to everyone of us. 

Paraphrase of the Poem "The Rain"

The poet hears the leaves which are full of rain. The rich leaves on top are full of water. The sprinkling of water which falls drop by drop on the leaves below creates a music which is sweet to hear. When the sun appears again after the rain stops, the wonderful light sparkles each drop. In the end, he wishes to have the sun shines in full brightness and make the scene lovelier.

Critical Appreciation of the poem "The Rain"

In this poem the poet has chosen a beautiful phenomenon of nature - rain. The poet says that he hears the leaves drinking the water of raindrops whose falling sound produces beautiful and pleasant music. On the one hand, the rain presents the great beauty of natural phenomenon but on the hand, the poet is worried about the poor man who is sitting under the tree. Thus he shivers with cold becomes shelterless. Then the poet says that when the rain stops and the sun appears, everything looks beautiful and wonderful again. Each drop of rain seems to be like a shining gem creating a lovely sight. In this poem we find that the sorrows and pleasures go side by side. Change is always there. Nothing remains the same forever.