Summary of the poem Asleep in the Valley Written by Arthur Rimbaud for class twelve/ xii /12, West Bengal board, W.B.H.S.C.

Asleep in the valley

Arthur Rimbaud

Summary

The poem “Asleep in the valley” by Arthur Rimbaud depicts the picture of a young soldier lying blissfully asleep amidst the serenity of a small green valley. A slow stream is flowing through it and leaves long strands of silver on the bright grass. Sun rays come streaming down on the valley from the mountain top. The soldier is lying asleep with his mouth open. He has a pillow made of fern beneath his head and the dense undergrowth as his bed. Soaked with sun rays the pale green bed feels warm. He sleeps with his feet among the flowers and a smile on his face like an infant. His smile is gentle and has no guile in it. The poet asks the nature to keep the young soldier warm because he is afraid that he may catch cold in the open air. His rest should not get disturbed by the humming insects. The young Soldier is asleep at peace in the sunlight with one hand on his breast. But two red holes are seen on one side of his body. They are the marks of bullets that have killed him. He is none but a casualty of war. He is dead.