You are the ruler of this realm of flesh,
And this hill of bone and hair
Moves to the Mahomet of your hand.
But all this land gives off a charnel stench,
The wind smacks of the poor
Dumb dead the crannies house and hide.
You rule the thudding heart that bites the side;
The heart steps to death’s finger,
The brain acts to the legal dead.
Why should I think on death when you are ruler?
You are my flesh’s ruler whom I treason,
Housing death in your kingdom,
Paying heed to the thirsty voice.
Condemn me to an everlasting facing
Of the dead eyes of children
And their rivers of blood turned to ice.
I am busy working to bring Dylan Thomas's "You are the ruler of this realm of flesh" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you later.
In the meantime, I invite you to explore the poem's themes, structure, and meaning. You can also check out the gallery for other musical arrangements or learn more about Dylan Thomas's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "You are the ruler of this realm of flesh" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.