Fern Hill

Poetry | Dylan Thomas
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Fern Hill Farm

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Fern Hill Farm. ✪✪✪

Fern Hill Farm was a real farmhouse in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It was owned by Dylan Thomas’s (1914 – 1953) Aunt Annie Jones. The poet spent many joyful days there as a child. In his poem “Fern Hill” (1945), Dylan Thomas turns that farm into a magical place. It is a world of freedom, light, and innocence. Through memory, music, and imagery, he recreates his childhood paradise. He reflects on the passing of time.

Fern Hill as a Childhood Paradise: For young Dylan Thomas, Fern Hill Farm was like heaven on earth. He remembers his days as full of joy and wonder. He says,

“Young and easy under the apple boughs.”

The apple trees, the green grass, and the shining sky made his world bright and happy. He ran through the barns and fields. He feels like a little prince. As he proudly says,

“I was prince of the apple towns.”

The farm animals, foxes, pheasants, calves, and horses were his fr
iends. Everything around him was full of love and life.

Fern Hill as a Holy and Peaceful Place: The poet describes Fern Hill as pure and sacred. It is almost like the Garden of Eden. He writes,

“And the sabbath rang slowly

In the pebbles of the holy streams.”

Even the rivers and stones seemed to sing softly, as if praising God. The farm shines like creation’s first morning,

“It was Adam and maiden.”

Fern Hill becomes not just a farm, but a symbol of divine beauty and innocence.

Fern Hill and the Passing of Time: As time passes, the poet realizes that childhood cannot last forever. He says,

“Time held me green and dying, 

Though I sang in my chains like the sea.”

Time gave him joy, but also took it away. Yet, the memory of Fern Hill remains golden and eternal in his heart.

In “Fern Hill,” Dylan Thomas turns Fern Hill Farm into a symbol of lost paradise. He makes it a place where childhood, nature, and time come together in perfect harmony.

 

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Dylan Thomas
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