Events within the context of the natural world. Events on a supernatural plane. The tone is measured and solemn. Immediately the landscape comes into view. Bodily contact implies comradeship and trust and matches the sense of well-being.
Some men stand, unable to sleep like the rest.
They stand on a metaphysical precipice, catching a glimpse of last things. The whole stanza ebbs and flows between nature's grace on one hand and her disfavour on the other. The soul grows sharp when healing stops and capricious nature signals menace. This image is supposed to have originated on an occasion when the Owen family returned across the fields from church one Sunday evening before the war. They breathe like trees unstirred.