An Elegy for Dylan Thomas

This poem by Dannie Abse is about the admiration and adoration that he has towards Dylan Thomas. Therefore, I believe that the main themes in this poem are passion and admiration. I feel that this poem links to 'For Sidney Bechet' as both poets focus on someone that they look up to and adore. However, it can also link to 'Mr Bleaney' as both poems talk about somebody else's life where the writer is removed from the poem.
One of the things that I found interesting about this poem was the way the poet focused on Thomas' marriage throughout. This can be seen in "Death was his voluntary marriage", "whiskey-meadows of her breath". This suggests that Dylan Thomas had an unhappy marriage that was fuelled by alcohol leading to arguments between the two. There is also a focus in this poem that this marriage has changed his and that nothing can bring him back to the way he was before. This can be seen in "not even for the sake of love can his true energy come back". The sense that he will never be the way he was before can also be portrayed in "stranger" which suggests that Dylan Thomas is now unrecognisable compared to how he was before.
In this poem there is no regular rhyme scheme which I feel could reflect his rocky marriage and the way that his life and marriage has been affected by alcohol.
The structure of the poem is also uneven which could portray the uneven and uncertain path that his life had to offer.

The Death of Aunt Alice

'The Death of Aunt Alice' by Dannie Abse is about the persona remembering his Aunt's funerals and the memories that they shared together. Therefore I believe that the main themes in this poem are loss, love and memory. 

One of the things that I found interesting about this poem was the quotes "relished high catastrophe" and "dressed in black" quite interesting as the first quote suggests that Alice used to stand out from the crowd however the last quote suggests that although she did stand out, we all still end up in the same place which is death. The fact that she stood out can also be supported by "where's your opera ending?" as it suggests that everybody expected more from Alice in her last few days due to the personality and character that she had.

Another thing that I found interesting was the way the persona remembers his Aunt talking about gory deaths in stanza 4 and how in the last stanza the persona says "Disasters that lit your eyes will no more". This suggests that Aunt Alice's life was quite dramatic and drastic but it can also represent the callousness of life. This can be linked to Larkin's poem "Take one home for the kiddies" through the quote "mam, we're playing funerals now" which also shows the callousness of life. 

At Ogmore-by-Sea this August Evening

I believe that this poem is about the loss that Abse feels towards his father and how this links to music. Therefore I believe that the main themes in this poem are family, loss and music.
I feel that this poem through the loss of his father can link to 'Reference Back' as both poems show a connection to their loved one through music. In 'Reference Back' it is Larkin's mother.
One of the things that I found interesting about this poem was the focus on music throughout the poem. This can be seen in "Bach", "violinist and violin", "music summons night" and "solemn record". "Solemn record" can also link to the loss of his father with the music now reflecting his mood and feelings.
Another thing that I found interesting was the quote "Here, Father, here, tonight" as it suggests that Abse can not let go of his father and is extremely saddened by his loss. It also seems as though his world has been made smaller and less important which can also be seen in "nothing but the tumult of the sea" which suggests that all that he has left with him now is the noise that the sea produces and that nothing else of his memory with his father still remains.
Another thing that I found interesting about this poem was the quote "ordered carnival" which is an oxymoron as it suggests organised chaos which can not happen.

Sons

I believe that Sons is about the connection and the relationship that Abse shares with his son and the positivity that he has for his family. 'Sons' I believe also shows a comparison between the life that his son leads and the life that Abse led and his age. Therefore, the main themes that I believe are in this poem are relationships, love and family.
Due to this, I believe that this immediately links to 'Dockery and Son' by Larkin, as Larkin is very negative towards family and the thought of bringing up children whereas Abse is very positive towards family and the connection that you feel between yourself and your children. The shows a comparison between Abse and Larkin. You can also link 'Sons' to 'Afternoons' by Larkin through the inclusion of children in both poems.
One of the things that I found interesting about this poem was the rhyme scheme that Abse chose to use. This can be seen in "way" and "day"; "dash" and "brash"; "hide", "abide" and "side" and "quite", "night" and "bright". This rhyme scheme is regular which suggests that his relationship with his son is also and that there is a parallel connection between the father and son.
Another thing that I found interesting about this poem was the line "Too soon maturity will switch off your night". I believe that this suggests that Abse is trying to warn his son to spend his time wisely and to enjoy being young while he can. I also feel that Abse wishes he was still at that age when things were easier than they are now. This also links in with the line "Now my son is like that" which suggests that when he was that age, he was doing the exact same thing. This could suggest that linking with the first line that he wishes he'd have done things differently and this is therefore why he is warning his son not to do the same.
I also found the structure quite interesting as the first stanza focuses on the reflection of his own life while the rest of the stanzas focus on his son's life.

Imitations

I believe that 'Imitations' by Abse is about family and the intimacy within relationships between parent and child. I believe that the main themes in this poem are family, love and relationships. This therefore links to another poem by Dannie Abse called 'Sons' as both poems link to the same idea.
I feel that 'Imitations' can be linked to 'Dockery and Son' by Larkin as they both talk about family however, Abse reflects on family in a positive way whereas Larkin is quite negative towards the idea of family. You can also link 'Afternoons' in with 'Imitations' as they are both focus on children and the parents connection.
One thing that I found interesting about this poem was the line "He is my chameleon, my soft diamond, my delicious evergreen". This is a rule of three which refelcts how much his son means to him. He also uses a metaphor with each description which provides quite a calming and peaceful image.

Return to Cardiff

'Return to Cardiff' I feel is about the familiarity of travelling back to your home town but also the conflict between past and present and how you notice how much things have changed in your life since you were last at home.

One of the things that I found interesting about this poem was the rhyme scheme that Abse chose to use. Abse chooses to use a regular rhyme scheme that is as follows; A,A; B,B etc. I believe that this shows the support and comfort that Abse feels when he is back in Cardiff. I feel as though it almost acts as a comfort blanket keeping him safe from his life. However, in stanza 2 Abse chooses to use a half-rhyme in "raid" and "façade". I believe that as this stanza shows how he was surprised at how unfamiliar Cardiff had become to him and chose to show this through the rhyme. I also feel that the rhyme scheme suggests this as it still has a rhyme to it which shows that it is still his home and where he belongs however he now feels that it is less familiar to how it was when he was younger.

Another thing that I found interesting about this poem was the quote "boy I was not and the man I am not", which shows a conflict between past and present. This shows how much Cardiff has changed, and how Abse now does not believe he ever fully fitted in. This links in with 'Dockery and Son' by Larkin as that too shows the conflict between past and present. Conflict can also be seen in "what I wanted to be as much for what it unashamedly is" which suggests a contrast between reality and his illusion of how things should be.

There is also an emphasis on how your home town makes you who you are and this can be seen in "first everything". I believe that this suggests that your home town is where you experience things for the first time and that this is where you gain your much needed life experience before moving away.

I also feel that Abse does not feel as comfortable as he used to in Cardiff. This can be seen in "mislaid identities" as this suggests that Cardiff is no longer now he remembers it and that he no longer sees a familiar face when he returns to Cardiff.

I believe that this poem does not only link to 'Dockery and Son' but also 'Here' as both poems are centred around certain places that mean something to the author and their home. 

Blond Boys

'Blond Boys' by Abse is about his first love and the rejection he faced from her. It also shows a memory of when they were at school and how he acted when she was around. Therefore, I believe that the main themes in this poem are love, time and rejection.
One of the things that I found interesting about this poem was the way that Abse has shown time passing from the last time he saw Eva Jones. This can be seen in "small blond grandson". This shows that it has been many years since they last met but also that Eva Jones fell in love with someone that isn't the persona. Time passing can also be seen in "Eva Jones, remember me? My acne. Your dimples". This suggests that although all this time has passed Abse still cares for Eva and remembers the finer details about her such as her dimples. I also believe that it is childhood where they were met through the line "first shy love" which suggests that she was his childhood sweetheart. This idea can also be seen in "I held my breath" which could suggest that he adored her and did not know what to do when she was around. It can also suggest that he was too shy to talk to her.
I believe that 'Blond Boys' can link to 'Wild Oats' through the idea of rejection and idealisation. This can be seen in 'Blond Boys' through the quote "I prefer, um, blond boys beside" which suggests that Eva rejected him for her idealistic view of who she expected to be with which can link to 'Wild Oats' through Larkin's idealistic view of women.