Sometimes on rainy nights
after the lights go out,
I think I hear faraway voices.
Maybe the storm carries stories
from all over the world
to fill the sky and read me to sleep.
The poem is broken into two
stanzas, each containing three lines. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the idea of distant voices being heard on a rainy night. The second stanza suggests that these voices may be the stories and experiences of people from all over the world, being carried by the storm and lulling the speaker to sleep. The poem has a contemplative mood and a sense of wonder and mystery, as the speaker imagines the many lives and stories that may be contained within the sound of the rain.
stanzas, each with its own imagery and ideas. Let's break it down step-by-step:
Stanza 1:
1. The first two lines set the scene: "Sometimes on rainy nights / after the lights go out." This suggests a quiet and introspective moment, perhaps before sleep.
2. The next line introduces a sense of hearing: "I think I hear faraway voices." This indicates that the speaker is experiencing perception or imagination of something beyond their immediate surroundings.
Stanza 2:
1. The first line of the second stanza builds on the previous notion of hearing, but brings in the element of a storm: "Maybe the storm carries stories." Here, the storm is personified and likened to a carrier of stories. This suggests that the storm is a source of inspiration or connection to the wider world.
2. The next line continues the idea of stories being carried by the storm: "from all over the world." This expands the scope of the stories to a global scale, highlighting the potential diversity and richness of the narratives that the storm might bring.
3. The final line of the poem brings together the distinctive elements of the storm and bedtime reading: "to fill the sky and read me to sleep." Here, the speaker envisions the storm filling the sky with stories, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The act of being "read to sleep" suggests a comforting and calming effect, as if the stories carried by the storm lull the speaker into a restful slumber.
In summary, this poem explores the imaginative possibilities that arise on rainy nights. It presents the concept of faraway voices heard during such nights, and suggests that these voices are the stories carried by storms from around the world. The imagery aims to evoke a sense of connection and wonder, creating a soothing ambiance for sleep.