The Rain

By W.H. Davies

W.H. Davies (1871–1940) was a Welsh poet and writer known for his works that often reflect on the themes of nature, life’s simplicity, and the struggles of the poor. Despite a life of hardship, including time spent as a tramp, Davies became a successful poet with works like “The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp.” His poetry is characterized by its simplicity, directness, and deep connection with the natural world.

I hear leaves drinking rain;
I hear rich leaves on top
Giving the poor beneath
Drop after drop;
’Tis a sweet noise to hear
These green leaves drinking near.

And when the Sun comes out,
After this Rain shall stop,
A wondrous Light will fill
Each dark, round drop;
I hope the Sun shines bright;
’Twill be a lovely sight.

Critical Analysis

The poet hears leaves drinking rainwater. The rich leaves on the top get most of the water and they give the poor beneath very little left-over water (drop after drop). He says that it is a sweet music (noise) of those green leaves drinking the rain when it is heard from nearby. The first stanza of the poem describes the main theme of the poem. When it rains, the leaves that are on the top get most of the water and therefore, they look green and healthier as compared to those that are under them. It can also be seen as a metaphor. The leaves may refer to human beings. The poet is highlighting the vast division between the rich and the poor. Rain here symbolizes wealth and resources.

Hence, it is implied that the rich or powerful section of the society has control over all the resources and they enjoy these resources to their fullest. The poor or unprivileged section of society gets what is left behind. Furthermore, the poet says that this noise of rich people taking away everything is sweet. Here the phrase sweet noise is an oxymoron because noise is not associated with sweetness. The poet is actually criticizing the rich taking away everything and giving the poor almost nothing.

It is apparent from the first stanza that the poem has more to it than mere surface meaning. Although it can be enjoyed just sticking to the surface meaning, on a deeper level, it is thought-provoking as well. The poet is talking about the greed of the rich or powerful people and the hardships faced by the poor. Whatever they get is only leftover because they do not have access to the resources that the rich have.

In the second stanza, the poet says that one day, when the rain stops and the sun comes out, a wonderful light will fill each dark and round drop. He hopes that the sun will shine brightly and it will be a lovely sight.

The second stanza is in contrast with the first because the first stanza is pessimistic in tone but the second stanza symbolizes hope, optimism, and a better future. The poet hopes that one day when there will be no rain (the absence of material things or the afterlife where material things do not matter), and the delightful light of the sun will brighten everyone.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Light and Sun may refer to divine intervention as they are capitalized. Perhaps he is talking about the world hereafter, where there will be no discrimination and everyone will be treated on merit.

The poet is hoping to see that day when the divine light will be cast on all people without any discrimination. He imagines that it will be a very lovely sight. So, the poem begins with pessimism and bleakness but it ends in optimism and hope for an equal and better life for everyone.