In Alicante they bowl the barrels
Bumblingly over the nubs of the cobbles
Past the yellow-paella eateries,
Below the ramshackle back-alley balconies,
While the cocks and hens
In the roofgardens
Scuttle repose with crowns and cackles.

Kumquat-colored trolleys ding as they trundle
Passengers under an indigo fizzle
Needling spumily down from the wires:
Alongside the sibliant narhor the lovers
Hear loudspeakers boom
From each neon-lit palm
Rumbas and sambas no ear-flaps can muffle.

O Cacophony, goddess of jazz and of quarrels,
Crack-throated mistress of bagpipes and cymbals,
Let be your con brios, your capricciosos,
Crescendos, cadenzas, prestos and pretissimos,
My head on the pillow
(Piano, pianissimo)
Lullayed by susurrous lyres and viols.

“Alicante Lullaby” by Sylvia Plath explores several themes through its vivid and imaginative portrayal of the Spanish city of Alicante. The poem invites readers into a lively and sensory-rich experience while touching upon elements of contrast, harmony, and the desire for tranquility.

1. Vibrancy of Alicante: The primary theme in the poem revolves around the vibrant and dynamic nature of Alicante. The poet uses lively and colorful imagery to depict the city’s streets, from the barrels being bumbled over cobbles to the yellow-paella eateries and ramshackle back-alley balconies. This theme celebrates the energetic and diverse aspects of Alicante, capturing its essence through playful descriptions.

2. Auditory Sensations: Sound plays a crucial role in the poem, creating a cacophony of auditory experiences. The poem is filled with onomatopoeic words like “ding,” “boom,” and “cackles,” contributing to the overall lively atmosphere. The sounds of kumquat-colored trolleys, loudspeakers playing rumbas and sambas, and the sibliant narhor add layers to the auditory landscape of Alicante.

3. Personification of Cacophony: A unique theme emerges as the poem personifies the amalgamation of sounds as the “O Cacophony, goddess of jazz and of quarrels.” This personification gives the lively sounds of the city a playful and fantastical quality. The goddess is associated with various musical elements, from jazz to bagpipes, highlighting the diverse nature of the soundscape.

4. Contrast and Harmony: The contrast between the lively, bustling scenes of the city and the desire for tranquility and harmony is another prominent theme. The poet contrasts the energetic sounds of the city with the plea for the goddess of cacophony to allow harmony, using musical terms like “con brios” and “pianissimo.” This theme suggests a longing for balance amidst the lively chaos.

5. Desire for Tranquility: The final lines of the poem reveal a desire for tranquility as the poet expresses a wish to be lullayed by susurrous lyres and viols. This theme adds a reflective and personal touch to the poem, as the poet seeks a more peaceful state after the energetic and cacophonous descriptions of the city.

“Alicante Lullaby” encapsulates the vibrancy of Alicante, celebrating its lively streets and diverse soundscape. Through playful language, the poem explores the auditory sensations of the city, personifying the cacophony as a whimsical goddess. The theme of contrast and the desire for tranquility provide depth to the poem, offering readers a nuanced and evocative experience of Alicante’s unique atmosphere.