The poem is unique among haiku poems because rather than celebrating the beauty of nature, the poet is describing wanting to get away from an element of it — flies. But, there are many similarities between this piece and classic haiku, seen through the ease of contemplating and imagining the situation the speaker is in.
Summary
‘I want to sleep’ by Masaoka Shiki is an interesting haiku that speaks about sleep and the softness of movements.
The poem starts with the speaker stating that they “want to sleep.” This provides readers with a lot of detail, more so than it might seem at first. The poet goes on to say that there are flies flying around the speaker, something that is keeping them from sleeping. They ask someone to “Swat the flies / Softly, please” in order to allow the speaker to continue sleeping and not disturb the scene too much.
Structure and Form
‘I want to sleep’ by Masaoka Shiki is a three-line poem that conforms to the traditional structure of a haiku. The poem was originally written in Japanese, something that readers need to take into consideration when looking at the various literary devices and possible rhymes or metrical patterns.
Literary Devices
In this poem, the poet uses a few different literary devices. For example:
- Imagery: occurs when the poet uses images that tap into the reader’s senses. For example, “Swat the flies.”
- Enjambment: can be seen when the poet cuts off a line before its natural stopping point. For example, the transition between lines one and two.
- Mood: there is a very distinct mood in this poem. It’s highly empathetic because the poet is describing something that everyone can relate to.
Detailed Analysis
Line 1
I want to sleep
In the first line of this poem, the poet begins by writing that the speaker, who could be the poet himself, wants to sleep. They’re only interested in that at the moment and are finding the thought of anything else uninteresting.
The speaker’s desire to sleep is an important part of this poem. It’s the main image in the first line, which highlights the intensity of the desire, as it is a fundamental human need that is being expressed. The verb “want” suggests a strong and unfulfilled desire, adding a layer of emotional intensity to the statement.
The brevity of the line also contributes to its impact. The concise nature of the statement enhances the sense of immediacy and intensity, focusing the reader’s attention on the speaker’s primary objective.
Line 2
Swat the flies
The poet asks that the flies are “swatted” or shooed away (or even killed). This emphasizes the speaker’s desire to stay asleep without disturbance and annoyance, adding complexity to the speaker’s desire for sleep.
The act of swatting flies suggests a state of agitation or frustration, as well. The flies buzzing around can be a common nuisance that disrupts one’s peace and tranquility in a variety of situations.
Line 3
Softly, please.
The final line of the poem emphasizes the speaker’s plea to get rid of the flies. It serves as a plea or request for gentleness, as well, adding a layer of vulnerability and sensitivity to the speaker’s desire for sleep and reminding readers of their need for a calm and peaceful environment.
The inclusion of the word “please” in this line adds a polite tone to the line. It suggests that the speaker is making a humble request, recognizing that they are dependent on others to create the desired environment for sleep.
This line also emphasizes the importance of minimizing this kind of disturbance and highlights the speaker’s reliance on others to create the desired atmosphere for rest.
FAQs
The theme of this poem is the need for rest and tranquility in quiet moments. The lines of the poem remind readers of how desperate one’s yearning for peacefulness can be.
The tone is one of quiet desperation. The poet’s speaker wants to rest peacefully, but with the flies bugging them, that’s proving to be impossible.
The purpose of this poem is to remind readers of how important sleep is and how simple, small things, like flies, make sleep all the more difficult.
This poem is important because it’s a unique take on what a traditional Japanese haiku can be. It focuses more on a human character than it does on the contemplation of nature.
Similar Poetry
Readers who enjoyed this poem should also consider reading some other Masaoka Shiki poems. For example:
- ‘After Killing a Spider’– describe the immediate aftermath when a speaker kills a spider.
Other related poems include:
- ‘Insect’ by Annie Finch – is a clever poem that focuses on an insect’s life.
- ‘A Poppy Blooms’ by Katsushika Hokusai – is a thoughtful poem about writing and how it works for the poet.
