Summons

Welcome, fellow explorers of language and literature, to a journey into the heart of Robert Francis’s enchanting poem, “Summons.” This seemingly simple poem holds profound insights into human connection and the gentle art of persuasion. Let us uncover its layers together.

Summons

By Robert Francis

Keep me from going to sleep too soon
Or if I go to sleep too soon
Come wake me up. Come any hour
Of night. Come whistling up the road.
Stomp on the porch. Bang on the door.
Make me get out of bed and come
And let you in and light a light.
Tell me the northern lights are on
And make me look. Or tell me clouds
Are doing something to the moon

They never did before, and show me.
See that I see. Talk to me till
I’m half as wide awake as you
And start to dress wondering why< I ever went to bed at all.
Tell me the walking is superb.
Not only tell me but persuade me.
You know I’m not too hard persuaded.

Understanding “Summons”: A Summary and Central Idea

“Summons” by Robert Francis is a delightful and deeply resonant poem that first graced the literary world in his 1949 collection. It presents itself as an intimate monologue, a heartfelt request directed to an unseen, cherished companion. The poem beautifully articulates a yearning not for grand adventures or dramatic events, but for the gentle, persistent invitation to engage with life and connection.

At its core, the poem explores the speaker’s desire to be roused from the comfort of sleep, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for inaction, isolation, or a state of being disengaged. The central idea of “Summons” revolves around the profound human need for connection, the power of gentle persuasion, and the joy found in shared experiences. The speaker does not merely wish to be awakened; they long for the specific ritual of awakening, the convincing, the playful insistence of another. This creates a tender portrait of vulnerability and a deep appreciation for loving attention.

The poem meticulously details the desired awakening: a whistling approach, a boisterous entry, a sharing of natural wonders like the northern lights or unusual cloud formations. These details highlight a playful innocence and a longing for a loving nudge to participate in the world. Ultimately, “Summons” suggests that true engagement often comes not from obligation, but from the warmth of encouragement and the desire to share beauty with someone special.

In-depth Analysis: Unpacking the Layers of “Summons”

Beyond its surface simplicity, “Summons” offers a rich tapestry of themes and emotions. Let us delve deeper into the poem’s profound messages.

The Speaker’s Yearning for Connection

The poem opens with a plea that immediately establishes the speaker’s vulnerability and desire for interaction:

Keep me from going to sleep too soon
Or if I go to sleep too soon
Come wake me up. Come any hour
Of night.

This opening reveals a reluctance to succumb to solitude or inaction. “Sleep too soon” can be seen as a metaphor for missing out on life’s experiences, for withdrawing prematurely from the world. The speaker actively invites interruption, signaling a deep need for companionship and a shared existence.

The Ritual of Awakening

The specific instructions for awakening are not just practical; they are imbued with affection and a sense of playful urgency:

Come whistling up the road.
Stomp on the porch. Bang on the door.
Make me get out of bed and come
And let you in and light a light.

These actions are boisterous and insistent, yet they are clearly welcomed. The whistling, stomping, and banging are not disruptive but rather a comforting signal of the companion’s arrival. The act of “lighting a light” symbolizes bringing warmth, clarity, and shared presence into the darkness of night or solitude.

Sharing Wonder and Perspective

The reasons for the awakening are not mundane tasks, but opportunities to witness and appreciate beauty:

Tell me the northern lights are on
And make me look. Or tell me clouds
Are doing something to the moon

They never did before, and show me.
See that I see. Talk to me till
I’m half as wide awake as you

The speaker desires to be shown wonders, both grand like the aurora borealis and subtle like unusual cloud formations. This highlights the theme of shared perception and the idea that beauty is often enhanced when experienced with another. The companion’s role is not just to wake, but to guide the speaker’s attention, to ensure that they truly “see.” The desire to be “half as wide awake as you” suggests an admiration for the companion’s vitality and an aspiration to match it.

The Power of Gentle Persuasion

Perhaps the most poignant lines in the poem emphasize the speaker’s receptiveness to encouragement:

Tell me the walking is superb.
Not only tell me but persuade me.
You know I’m not too hard persuaded.

Here, the poem articulates its central message about the power of persuasion over compulsion. The speaker is not resistant to engagement, but rather thrives on being gently coaxed and encouraged. The phrase “You know I’m not too hard persuaded” reveals a charming vulnerability and a willingness to embrace life’s simple pleasures when invited with warmth and care. It speaks to a universal human desire to be seen, understood, and lovingly guided.

Literary and Poetic Devices in “Summons”

Robert Francis masterfully employs various literary and poetic devices to enrich “Summons” with its unique charm and depth. Let us explore some of these tools.

Imagery

Francis uses vivid imagery to create a strong sensory experience, allowing readers to visualize and feel the scene. This makes the poem highly engaging.

• Sound Imagery: “whistling up the road,” “Stomp on the porch. Bang on the door.” These lines create a lively auditory scene, making the companion’s arrival feel immediate and exciting.
• Visual Imagery: “light a light,” “the northern lights are on,” “clouds / Are doing something to the moon.” These images paint pictures of light, natural phenomena, and the shared act of observation.
• Kinesthetic Imagery: “Make me get out of bed and come,” “Tell me the walking is superb.” These phrases evoke movement and physical engagement, emphasizing the desire for activity.

Anaphora

The deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines is a prominent feature, creating a pleading and insistent tone.

Come wake me up. Come any hour
Of night. Come whistling up the road.

And later:

Tell me the northern lights are on
And make me look. Or tell me clouds

This repetition builds a sense of anticipation and emphasizes the speaker’s earnest requests, making the poem feel like a direct, heartfelt appeal.

Repetition

Beyond anaphora, other forms of repetition reinforce key ideas and create a rhythmic insistence.

Keep me from going to sleep too soon
Or if I go to sleep too soon

The repetition of “too soon” highlights the speaker’s concern about missing out and underscores the urgency of the summons.

Enjambment

Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without punctuation, creates a flowing rhythm that mirrors the speaker’s desire for uninterrupted connection and thought.

Talk to me till
I’m half as wide awake as you
And start to dress wondering why
I ever went to bed at all.

This technique encourages the reader to move seamlessly through the lines, reflecting the natural, conversational flow of the speaker’s thoughts and wishes.

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds within words or phrases creates a musicality that enhances the poem’s gentle and inviting tone.

Keep me from going to sleep too soon

The repeated “oo” sound here is soft and soothing, contributing to the poem’s intimate and tender atmosphere.

Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words adds emphasis and a subtle rhythm.

wondering why

This subtle alliteration draws attention to the speaker’s reflective state after being awakened.

Consonance

The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words contributes to the poem’s overall musicality and subtle emphasis.

Come wake me up. Come any hour

The recurring “m” and “p” sounds create a gentle, almost murmuring quality, reinforcing the intimate nature of the summons.

Free Verse

“Summons” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. This choice allows Francis to create a conversational and natural tone, mimicking the intimacy of a whispered request or a heartfelt plea between close companions. The absence of rigid structure enhances the poem’s authenticity and directness.

Symbolism

The poem utilizes several symbols to represent deeper concepts:

• Sleep: Symbolizes isolation, inaction, withdrawal from the world, or missing out on life’s experiences.
• Awakening: Represents connection, engagement, participation in life, and shared experience.
• Light: The act of “lighting a light” symbolizes clarity, understanding, shared presence, and dispelling darkness or ignorance.
• Northern Lights/Moon/Clouds: These natural phenomena symbolize beauty, wonder, and the extraordinary moments that life offers, especially when shared.
• Walking: Represents active engagement with the world, vitality, and the simple joys of movement and exploration.

Personification

While not a dominant device, a subtle hint of personification appears in the speaker’s imaginative description of natural phenomena.

Or tell me clouds
Are doing something to the moon
They never did before, and show me.

The clouds are described as “doing something,” imbuing them with a sense of agency and intention, as if they are actively performing a unique display for the observer. This reflects the speaker’s imaginative and appreciative perspective on the world.

The Enduring Message of “Summons”

Robert Francis’s “Summons” is a beautifully crafted poem that resonates with a universal human desire for connection and engagement. It reminds us that sometimes, the greatest joys come from being gently pulled out of our solitude and into the shared experience of life. The poem’s enduring message is a celebration of companionship, the beauty of the natural world, and the profound impact of loving persuasion.

The lines that perhaps best encapsulate this message are:

Tell me the walking is superb.
Not only tell me but persuade me.
You know I’m not too hard persuaded.

These lines beautifully capture the essence of encouragement and the willingness to be guided toward fulfilling experiences. They serve as a gentle reminder that we often need a little nudge, a warm invitation, to fully embrace the beauty and activity of the world around us. “Summons” is a testament to the power of human connection to awaken us to life’s simple, yet profound, wonders.

In conclusion, “Summons” is a deceptively simple poem that reveals layers of meaning upon closer examination. Through its gentle language, evocative imagery, and masterful use of poetic devices, Robert Francis creates a touching portrait of vulnerability, connection, and the longing for a loving nudge. It is a poem that invites us to savor the beauty of simple pleasures and embrace the power of gentle persuasion, making it a truly timeless and shareable piece of literature.