Summons

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.

Summary of Summons

• Popularity of “Summons”: Robert Francis’s “Summons” is a charming and deceptively simple poem. First appearing in his 1949 collection, it operates as an implicit monologue, a direct address to an unseen companion. The poem beautifully captures a yearning—not for grand adventure, but for gentle persuasion and connection.
• “Summons” As a Representative of Innocence: At its heart, “Summons” is about a desire to be roused from sleep, but it’s about so much more than that. The speaker doesn’t simply want to be awakened; they long for the ritual, the convincing, the playful insistence of another. This creates a portrait of vulnerability and a deep need for connection. The poem carefully details the desired awakening—a whistling approach, a boisterous entry, a sharing of wonder—highlighting a playful innocence and a longing for a loving nudge.
• Major Themes in “Summons”: Innocence, affection, and the power of gentle persuasion are central to “Summons.” The speaker’s initial lines express a childlike desire to be prevented from falling asleep, setting a tone of vulnerability. The poem explores the comfort found in loving attention and the longing for someone to share moments of beauty, like the northern lights or unusual cloud formations. Ultimately, the poem suggests a preference for being coaxed into activity, highlighting the power of persuasion over compulsion.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Summons

Poetic devices, the tools poets employ to craft meaning and evoke emotion, are abundant in “Summons.” Let’s explore some of the most prominent:

1. Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds creates a musicality that enhances the poem’s gentle tone. Consider the line “Keep me from going to sleep too soon.” The repeated “oo” sound is soothing, mirroring the desire for a peaceful, yet not entirely complete, slumber.
2. Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, as in “wondering why,” adds emphasis and a subtle rhythm to the lines.
3. Anaphora: The deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, like “Come…” and “Tell me…”, creates a pleading tone and emphasizes the speaker’s requests. It builds a sense of anticipation and longing.
4. Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words, as in “Come wake me up. Come any hour,” contributes to the poem’s musicality and subtle emphasis.
5. Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without punctuation, such as in the lines:
   

   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.

   This technique creates a flowing rhythm and encourages the reader to move through the poem naturally, mirroring the speaker’s desire for uninterrupted connection.

6. Epistrophe: The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences, while less prominent, subtly reinforces the speaker’s vulnerability and dependence.
7. Imagery: Francis uses vivid imagery to appeal to the reader’s senses. Phrases like “stomp on the porch,” “bang on the door,” and “Tell me the walking is superb” create a strong sensory experience, allowing us to vividly imagine the scene and feel the speaker’s desire for a lively awakening.
8. Personification: While not overtly present, the poem hints at personification in the description of the clouds, suggesting a dynamic and captivating display that warrants attention.
9. Symbolism: The poem utilizes symbolism to represent deeper concepts. The whistle, banging, door, bed, lights, and moon all act as symbols for connection, invitation, comfort, and beauty, respectively.

Additional Poetic Devices

In addition to the literary devices, several poetic devices contribute to the poem’s unique quality.

1. Free Verse: “Summons” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Francis to create a conversational and natural tone, mimicking the intimacy of a whispered request.
2. Repetition: The repetition of phrases like “sleep too soon” and “Come” serve to emphasize the speaker’s vulnerability and longing. It creates a rhythmic insistence, almost a childlike pleading.

Quotes to be Used

The following lines from “Summons” resonate with the importance of embracing an active lifestyle and finding joy in simple pleasures:

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 power of encouragement and the willingness to be gently guided toward a fulfilling experience. They remind us that sometimes, all we need is a little persuasion to embrace the beauty of the world around us.

“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.