Not Waving But Drowning

this is beuatful and sad, i so feel like that. sad and unhappy but pretending to be happy

Oh, no no no, it was too cold always (Still the dead one lay moaning) I was much too far out all my life And not waving but drowning. // oh very heart touching poem penned; it's the reality

Not Waving but Drowning on music! You will find my version at https: //soundcloud.com/donaldhoutgraaf/not-waving-but-drowning-poem-by-stevie-smith

To many interpretations excepting the first lines

TIM MANZANO understood the poem perfectly as if he wrote it himself nice poem- something to ponder 10 points

It helps to have a look at Stevie Smith`s life to understand her style. I detect a slight pre-Plathian tendency in her work, in the sense she was too a confessional poet.

In this poem and the comments read carefully but the comment made by TIM MANZANO covers the poem....what i think, if one is away from the fact e.g a man swimming, waving, his movements of arm and hand is clearly seen..one may think he is enjoying whereas fact is..he is drowning..a message deeds and action that kills..wolf..wolf..non turned up..larking...thats the end of joy

.............so true....most people who are drowning..... are thought to be waving...

Such a great poem but so incredibly sad.

This is about being misunderstood. I have been too far out all my life as well. NOTHING to do with depression. He was a joker (larking) and when he actually needed help everybody thought he was joking around. (misunderstood) . Wonderful poem.