With my left hand full of poppy seeds, I walk, swaying; my sleep is bitter and my dreams are bitter too.

This couplet paints a poignant picture of a person weighed down by life's difficulties. The phrase 'In my left hand, I carry a full measure, walking unsteadily' suggests a heavy burden being carried, causing an unsteady gait. This isn't just physical; it speaks to emotional exhaustion. The lines that follow, 'My sleep is salty, and my dreams are salty too,' reveal the depth of their sorrow. 'Salty' here implies tears, bitterness, and the pervasive taste of hardship. Even in sleep, which should offer respite, their mind is troubled, their dreams reflecting the sadness and worries of their waking hours. It's a profound expression of a life where peace is elusive, and even rest is tinged with pain.