Meaning of the poem night mail
"Night Mail" is a poem by W.H. Auden, written in 1936, that describes the journey of the overnight mail train from London to Glasgow, Scotland. The poem is a meditation on the role of the postal service in connecting people and communities, as well as a reflection on the nature of time, space, and human connection.
The poem is written in a series of vignettes, each describing a different aspect of the train's journey. The speaker describes the train's departure from London's Euston Station, its passage through the English countryside, and its arrival in Glasgow. Along the way, the speaker reflects on the people and places the train passes through, as well as the mail it carries.
Throughout the poem, Auden explores themes such as:
- The power of communication: The poem highlights the importance of the postal service in connecting people and communities, even in the face of distance and time.
- The passage of time: The train's journey is a metaphor for the passage of time, and the way it shapes our experiences and perceptions.
- The relationship between place and identity: The poem explores the ways in which our sense of self is tied to our physical location, and how the train's journey reflects the movement and migration of people and ideas.
- The beauty of the everyday: The poem celebrates the beauty and significance of everyday moments and experiences, such as the train's journey and the people it passes through.
Some of the most famous lines from the poem include:
- "The mail train's come and gone, / The night mail's come and gone, / The night mail's come and gone, / The night mail's come and gone."
- "The train's wheels sing / In the dark, / The train's wheels sing / In the dark, / The train's wheels sing / In the dark."
- "The train's wheels sing / In the dark, / The train's wheels sing / In the dark, / The train's wheels sing / In the dark, / The train's wheels sing / In the dark."
Overall, "Night Mail" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and significance of everyday moments, while also exploring deeper themes about the nature of time, space, and human connection.