Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

SEA LULLABY, by ELINOR WYLIE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"Sea Lullaby" is a poem written by Elinor Wylie, an American poet and novelist. It was published in her 1921 collection "Nets to Catch the Wind."

Explanation:

The poem depicts the calmness and serenity of the sea, while also highlighting its powerful and dangerous nature. The speaker in the poem addresses a child and describes the sea's ability to soothe and calm them, using imagery of gentle waves and soothing sounds. However, the poem also acknowledges the sea's potential for destruction and danger, with imagery of shipwrecks and "wild white horses" that can cause harm.

Poetic Elements:

Form: The poem consists of six quatrains, with a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme and iambic meter.
Imagery: The poem uses vivid sensory imagery to depict the sea, such as "the hissing wave that tumbles," "the whispering spray," and "the wild white horses play."
Tone: The tone of the poem is both soothing and ominous, with the gentle imagery of the sea contrasting with the acknowledgment of its potential dangers.
Repetition: The phrase "hushabye, hushabye" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the lullaby-like quality of the sea.

Conclusion:

"Sea Lullaby" is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the dual nature of the sea - both a source of comfort and a potential danger. The use of sensory imagery and repetition creates a soothing and calming effect, while also highlighting the power and unpredictability of the natural world.

Poem Snippet:

"Hushabye, hushabye,

Rider and horse sink softly through the deep;

Sleep, beloved, sleep."