The Night Mail" by W. H. Auden is a poem that vividly describes the journey of a mail train during the night, emphasizing the anticipation and significance of receiving letters. Let's break down the poem line by line to provide a detailed explanation:

1. "This is the Night Mail crossing the border,"

   • The poem begins by introducing the subject: a mail train (Night Mail) crossing a border, setting the scene for its journey and the distribution of mail.

2. "Bringing the cheque and the postal order,"

   • The train is carrying various forms of mail, including checks and postal orders, highlighting its role in facilitating financial transactions.

3. "Letters for the rich, letters for the poor,"

   • The train carries letters for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, emphasizing the inclusivity and importance of mail.

4. "The shop at the corner and the girl next door."

   • The mail includes letters for local businesses and individuals nearby, underlining the mail's reach within communities.

5. "Pulling up Beattock, a steady climb:"

   • Beattock is a location on the train route, highlighting the journey's upward ascent and the train's efforts to climb the incline.

6. "The gradient's against her, but she's on time."

   • Despite the challenging terrain, the train is punctual and adheres to its schedule.

7. "Past cotton-grass and moorland boulder"

   • Describes the scenery the train passes, including grass and boulders, giving a sense of the landscape.

8. "Shovelling white steam over her shoulder,"

   • Personifies the train, suggesting it's emitting steam as it powers through the landscape.

9. "Snorting noisily as she passes"

   • Further personification, emphasizing the train's audible presence.

10. "Silent miles of wind-bent grasses."

    • A contrast: while the train is noisy, the surrounding landscape is quiet and windswept.

11. "Birds turn their heads as she approaches,"

    • Imagery showing the wildlife reacting to the approaching train.

12. "Stare from the bushes at her blank-faced coaches."

    • Personifies the train coaches as "blank-faced," perhaps symbolizing their lack of emotion compared to the natural world.

13. "Sheep-dogs cannot turn her course;"

    • The train is unwavering, unaffected by sheep-dogs attempting to change its path, illustrating its determination and predictability.

14. "They slumber on with paws across."

    • The contrast between the train's motion and the stillness of the sleeping sheep-dogs.

15. "In the farm she passes no one wakes,"

    • The train passing a farm at night, emphasizing the quietude of the surroundings.

16. "But a jug in the bedroom gently shakes."

    • The gentle disturbance caused by the passing train, adding to the imagery of the journey.

17. "Dawn freshens, the climb is done."

    • The night is transitioning into dawn, and the difficult climb is completed.

18. "Down towards Glasgow she descends"

    • The train is descending towards the city of Glasgow.

19. "Towards the steam tugs yelping down the glade of cranes,"

    • Describing the industrial scene as the train approaches Glasgow, with steam tugs and cranes in operation.

20. "Towards the fields of apparatus, the furnaces"

    • Further imagery of the industrial landscape the train is approaching.

21. "Set on the dark plain like gigantic chessmen."

    • Simile comparing the industrial structures to chess pieces, emphasizing their size and arrangement.

22. "All Scotland waits for her:"

    • Personifying Scotland as eagerly anticipating the train's arrival, emphasizing the significance of the mail.

23. "In the dark glens, beside the pale-green sea lochs"

    • Describing Scotland's diverse geography and highlighting the reach of the train's journey.

24. "Men long for news."

    • Expresses the longing for news and communication that the train's arrival represents.

25. "Letters of thanks, letters from banks,"

    • Lists different types of letters being carried, including expressions of gratitude and financial correspondence.

26. "Letters of joy from the girl and the boy,"

    • Highlighting personal and joyful letters, possibly from loved ones or family.

27. "Receipted bills and invitations"

    • More types of mail being carried, including bills and event invitations.

28. "To inspect new stock or visit relations,"

    • Reflects the diverse reasons for sending and receiving mail, from business matters to personal visits.

29. "And applications for situations"

    • Refers to job applications, showcasing the various purposes of mail.

30. "And timid lovers' declarations"

    • Mail conveying expressions of love and affection.

31. "And gossip, gossip from all the nations,"

    • Shows that the mail carries not only formal communication but also informal and social content.

32. "News circumstantial, news financial,"

    • Emphasizes the broad spectrum of news being conveyed, from everyday events to financial updates.

33. "Letters with holiday snaps to enlarge in,"

    • Describes letters with enclosed photos, allowing the recipient to "enlarge" their experiences vicariously.

34. "Letters with faces scrawled in the margin,"

    • Mentioning letters with doodles or drawings in the margins, adding a personal touch.

35. "Letters from uncles, cousins, and aunts,"

    • Highlights letters from extended family members.

36. "Letters to Scotland from the South of France,"

    • Demonstrates the reach of the mail, connecting places and people across distances.

37. "Letters of condolence to Highlands and Lowlands"

    • Shows that the mail also conveys messages of sympathy and support.

38. "Notes from overseas to Hebrides"

    • Further illustrates the wide geographical reach of the mail.

39. "Written on paper of every hue,"

    • Emphasizes the diverse forms of mail, using various types and colors of paper.

40. "The pink, the violet, the white and the blue,"

    • Lists specific colors of paper, further underlining the diversity.

41. "The chatty, the catty, the boring, adoring,"

    • Describes the range of styles and tones of the letters, from casual and chatty to more formal or affectionate.

42. "The cold and official and the heart's outpouring,"

    • Highlights the emotional spectrum of the letters, from formal and detached to heartfelt and emotional.

43. "Clever, stupid, short and long,"

    • Describes the varying lengths and levels of intelligence of the letters.

44. "The typed and the printed and the spelt all wrong."

    • Highlights the different formats and styles of the letters, including errors in spelling.

45. "Thousands are still asleep"

    • Shifts the focus back to the people waiting for the mail, emphasizing their anticipation.

46. "Dreaming of terrifying monsters,"

    • Adds a playful element, illustrating the dreams people have while waiting for the mail.

47. "Or of friendly tea beside the band at Cranston's or Crawford's:"

    • Describes pleasant dreams of social gatherings or outings.

48. "Asleep in working Glasgow, asleep in well-set Edinburgh,"

    • Highlights specific cities and their residents who are still asleep, underscoring the universality of the anticipation for mail.

49. "Asleep in granite Aberdeen,"

    • Mentions another city, further illustrating the widespread anticipation for mail.

50. "They continue their dreams,"

    • Reiterates the ongoing dreams of the sleeping individuals, emphasizing their state of anticipation and imagination.

51. "And shall wake soon and long for letters,"

    • Emphasizes the expectation and desire for letters upon waking.

52. "And none will hear the postman's knock"

    • Conveys the heightened attention and excitement upon hearing the postman approaching.

53. "Without a quickening of the heart,"

    • Describes the emotional response to the anticipation of receiving mail.

54. "For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?"

    • Concludes the poem with a poignant question, highlighting the universal desire to be remembered and connected through communication.