Metho Drinker

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Under the death of winter's leaves he lies
who cried to Nothing and the terrible night
to be his home and bread. "O take from me
the weight and waterfall ceaseless Time
that batters down my weakness; the knives of light
whose thrust I cannot turn; the cruelty
of human eyes that dare not touch nor pity."
Under the worn leaves of the winter city
safe in the house of Nothing now he lies.

His white and burning girl, his woman of fire,
creeps to his heart and sets a candle there
to melt away the flesh that hides from bone,
to eat the nerve that tethers him in time.
He will lie warm until the bone is bare
and on a dead dark moon he wakes alone.
It was for Death he took her; death is but this;
and yet he is uneasy under her kiss
and winces from that acid of her desire.

Author Notes

Metho - a short version of the chemical 'Methylated Spirit'. It is also known as 'Poor Man's Wine

Analysis

The poem "Metho Drinker" writes on death as a result of time and the problems associated with addiction. The poem uses a lyrical form to highlight the depressive mood and atmosphere.

The poem tells a story of a homeless person and his addiction to Methylated Spirit, an addiction that will eventually destroy him.

The first stanza is about the drinker praying to "Nothing and the terrible night" asking to be relieved of three things-time, light and human cruelty. whereas the second stanza introduces the drinkers relationship with the metho ad his prayers are answered.

Wright uses a homeless person to convey that death as a result of addiction is most prominent in society. the drinker is kept nameless to further illustrate  the point showing that it could be anyone.

In the seventh line, it can be seen that Wright is trying to convey a message of a fault in society. " the cruelty of human eyes that dare not touch nor pity" The drinker is revealed to society and while people can see him, they are closing one eye to the problem. If they did not notice him, there is no problem. This can be seen as a reflection of the poet's views in society where there are many homeless addict but are often ignored, creating a false sense that there is no problem.

The poem also deal with dark themes such as death and addiction. The mood of the poem in the first line sets the mood and is using words such as "death" and "winter" both of which are very cold. similar words are also used to make the reader feel empathy to the drinker.

The poem is somewhat ironic as it talks about death and the drinker being ostracized from society.

There is a use of capital letters throughout the poem including "Nothing/Death/Time", which could emphasise all he has left in the world. Assonance is used throughout the poem to help maintain a rhythm. It is scattered to maintain a slow but moving pace. "leaves he lies/who cried to". Repetition is used to enhance the sound of the poem. "T" sound is predominantly used which in the context of the poem gives a strong sound creating vivid imagery. "Winters Leaves", "Terrible night". These devices combined help to create a vivid image of the metho drinker and his plight.