Original Poem
Brand the Sky Sell the sky Sell the sky Buy the sky Brand the sky The Earth is an atom Surrounded by screens A dome with projections That cover up dreams New digital landscapes Unnatural things We claim we've evolved much Such primitive beings The future is now Or so they say Seems futile somehow The price we've paid We're finding it hard To seek out stars The heaven's gone blank Once blue now black Sell the sky Sell the sky Buy the sky Brand the sky Sell the sky Sell the sky Bye bye sky Bye bye sky
Translation (English)
Sell the sky
Sell the sky
Buy the sky
Put a label on the sky
The Earth is tiny
Surrounded by screens
A dome with images
That hide dreams
New digital worlds
Unnatural things
We say we've advanced
But are still basic
The future is now
Or so they say
Seems pointless
The cost we've paid
We're struggling
To find stars
The sky's gone blank
Once blue, now black
Sell the sky
Sell the sky
Buy the sky
Put a label on the sky
Sell the sky
Sell the sky
Goodbye sky
Goodbye sky
About the Poet
Unknown (Contemporary)
The author of this poem is not widely recognized, suggesting it may be a contemporary piece without a prominent publication.
Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Free verse
- When Written
- Unknown, likely contemporary
- Background
- The poem reflects on modern society's commercialization and digital transformation, critiquing how technological advancements have altered our relationship with nature and the sky.
Sources: https://tinypoetry.com/poem-collections/sky-poems/, https://poemanalysis.com/poems-about/sky/
Detailed Explanation
The poem 'Brand the Sky' critiques the commercialization and digitalization of the natural world. It opens with a repetitive call to 'sell' and 'brand' the sky, suggesting a commodification of nature. The Earth is described as an 'atom,' emphasizing its smallness and insignificance amidst technological advancements. Screens and projections are depicted as barriers that obscure dreams, symbolizing how digital landscapes have replaced natural ones. The poem questions the notion of progress, highlighting the irony of claiming evolution while remaining 'primitive beings.' The future, often portrayed as promising, is seen as futile due to the costs incurred. The struggle to 'seek out stars' reflects a loss of connection with the cosmos, as the sky turns from blue to black, symbolizing environmental degradation and loss of wonder. The poem concludes with a farewell to the sky, underscoring the irreversible impact of human actions.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | mark, label | to label or mark something for commercial purposes | braand |
| atom | tiny particle | the smallest unit of matter | aatom |
| projections | images, displays | visual displays or images cast onto a surface | pruh-jek-shuhns |
| digital | electronic, computerized | relating to technology or computers | dij-i-tal |
| landscapes | scenery, views | areas of land or scenery | land-skayps |
| primitive | basic, simple | early or undeveloped | prim-i-tiv |
| futile | pointless, useless | incapable of producing any useful result | fyoo-tile |
| heaven | sky, firmament | the sky or universe as seen from Earth | hev-uhn |
| bye | goodbye, farewell | a farewell or parting word | bai |
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