The following version of this poem was used to create this guide: Thomas, Dylan. "In my craft or sullen art." Deaths and Entrances, (J.M. Dent, 1946).

Note that all parenthetical citations refer to the line number from which the quotation is taken.

Though "In my craft or sullen art" indicates a writer's desire to reach ordinary people regardless of the time period, the poem can also be understood in the context of World War II. The war officially ended in 1945, and the resulting grief and trauma can be seen in the poem when lovers lie "with all their griefs in their arms" (5). However, Dylan refrains from explicitly discussing political matters in his poems. Instead, the speaker of "In my craft or sullen art" writes about love and grief in order to appeal to ordinary people.

In the poem, the speaker describes engaging in his "craft or sullen art" (which refers to writing poems) at night. Common ambitions such as money, fame, and even basic necessities such as food do not interest the speaker. Instead, the speaker remains alone writing poetry that celebrates ordinary people and experiences regardless of whether his intended audience becomes aware of his work.