He longed for sleep, but it would not immerse him; that night the waters he sought for his repose were deep enough to wade in, but not to swim.
In "The Lowland" by Jhumpa Lahiri, the protagonist experiences a deep yearning for rest that eludes him. Despite being surrounded by a conducive environment for sleep, he finds himself unable to fully immerse in the solace he desires. The metaphor of water reflects his struggle; it's as if he’s in a state where he can wade through his thoughts but cannot fully dive into peace.
This imagery illustrates the emotional turmoil...