The greenish sky glows up in misty reds, The purple shadows turn to brick and stone, The dreams wear thin, men turn upon their beds, And hear the milk-cart jangle by alone.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The scene depicts a transition from evening to night where natural beauty fades into a somber, urban reality. The speaker observes the changing colors and the isolation of men in their beds.
- In plain terms
- The sky changes colors as night falls, and people feel alone in their beds while the city sounds pass by.
- What can you take from it?
- Urban solitude becomes apparent when the day ends and the world quiets down.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does the milk-cart sound represent?
- How does the sky change reflect mood?
Another view
The imagery relies heavily on color symbolism which may be subjective.
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