I love poetry. 'O, Western Wind' is one of my favourite poems. Thought to originate in Tudor times, it has been variously interpreted. Some claim it is aboutan awareness of death, others think it is a poem of passionate yearning.

Let's read it together.

O Western Wind

'O, Western wind, when wilt thou blow

That the small rain down can rain?

Christ, that my love was in my arms

And I in my bed again'.

The poem is brief, occupying no more than four lines on the page, yet it is powerful. Why?

Let's take a glance at how it works, how it is structured.

The alliterative 'w' sounds occur four times at the start of words in the first line, echoed by the 'w'ending the word 'blow'. Now, we've identified the sounds but what effect do they have? Why are they there?

I hear a keening sound in them, a whine, almost a sense of despair.

After a time of drought, there is a need for 'small rain', soft and nourishing to the soul.

The use of the word 'Christ'in the third line revealsadeep need,not only for a real lover but a universal one, to satisfy unfulfilled longings, to bring redemption and healing.

The poem endswith the desire to be in one's own bed, a place of love and security, but also of birth and death.

The 'speaking voice' of the poet creates a timeless dimenson. Read 'O Western Wind' andlet it lingerin your mind untilyou findyour own conclusion.