The neophyte, baptized in smiles
Dylan Thomas
1914 to 1953
Track 1
Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.
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Soft shining symbols of her peace with you,
Wetten your tongue and lip,
And, in the grief of certainty,
As though the sun were spinning up through it.
That grew for good
Nothing but poison from the breath,
Touched, by a finger's nail, to dust.
The neophyte, baptized in smiles,
And thoughts, be they so kind,
To hide what drags its belly from the egg,
Where love is there's a crust of joy
Out of the bitter conscience and the nerves,
Or evil from the cankered heart.
Is laughing boy beneath his oath,
Knows his love rots.
And, on the ground, gyrates as easily
Was old when you were young,
For she who sprinkled on your brow
Moisten your care to carelessness,
Old in illusions turned to acritudes,
Breathing no poison from the oval mouth,
Not from the senses' dualizing tip
Of water, flame, or air.
Outdo your prude's genetic faculty
Boy sucks no sweetness from the willing mouth,