Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Roden Berkeley Wriothesley Noel’s "The Swimmer (2)" captures the exhilarating and transcendent experience of being at one with the sea. The poem is a celebration of the dynamic relationship between the swimmer and the ocean, as well as a reflection on the thin line between life’s joyful freedom and the powerful, often overwhelming forces of nature. Through rhythmic language, vivid imagery, and a blend of exhilaration and existential contemplation, Noel presents the sea as both a life-giving and potentially dangerous force, making the swimmer’s journey one of liberation and surrender.

The poem begins by drawing attention to the movement of the tide, which is "flowing" and inviting the swimmer to join in its rhythmic pulse. The breeze and waves are depicted as alive, eagerly pushing forward in a "gurgling show of strife." This lively description of the tide and breeze sets the tone for the poem, conveying the excitement and vitality of the natural elements. The foam, dulse, and "fairy feathery clusters" create an enchanting seascape, where even the smallest details of the sea’s motion are imbued with life and energy. The waves are described as eager and animated, embodying the sense of continuous movement and change that characterizes the ocean.

The speaker’s description of the air is equally alive: "O the salt, refreshing air / Shrilly blowing in the hair!" The air is not merely a passive element but an active participant in the scene, sharp and invigorating, contributing to the overall sensory experience of the swimmer’s journey. The "keen, healthful savour" of the sea air and the vivid descriptions of sea-shells, flowers, and plants create a multisensory immersion into the environment, making the reader feel as though they, too, are being drawn into the natural world. The poem emphasizes the purity and beauty of the sea and its surroundings, with "innocent billows" and crystal-clear foam that sparkles on the shore.

Noel’s use of imagery related to light and reflection adds to the ethereal quality of the poem. The wet sand becomes "a glass / Where the plumy cloudlets pass," creating a mirror-like effect that reflects the sky above. This image of the sand as a reflective surface ties the earth and sky together, reinforcing the idea that the sea is a liminal space where different elements—water, air, earth—meet and blend. The sea is portrayed as a realm of constant transformation, where the boundaries between different natural forces are fluid and shifting.

The poem then revisits the speaker’s earlier call to action: "Who would linger idle, / Dallying would lie, / When wind and wave, a bridal / Celebrating, fly?" This repetition serves to reinforce the invitation to the reader or swimmer to fully engage with the sea, rather than merely observing it from a distance. The metaphor of the "bridal" suggests a joyous union, as if the wind and wave are celebrating a marriage, inviting the swimmer to partake in their dance. The use of the word "fly" evokes a sense of freedom and movement, encouraging the swimmer to embrace the energy of the sea and let go of any hesitation.

As the swimmer plunges into the ocean, the experience becomes more intense: "Let him plunge among them, / Who hath wooed enough, / Flirted with them, sung them!" The swimmer is urged to dive deeper into the sea, to stop merely "flirting" with it and to fully embrace its power. The idea of wooing or flirting with the sea suggests a playful, almost romantic relationship between the swimmer and the ocean, but now the time has come for a deeper commitment. The swimmer is encouraged to let the sea take them "on a buoyant crest, / Far to seaward, sunward," where they can be "oceanborne to rest." This suggests both physical and spiritual surrender to the forces of the sea, as the swimmer is carried by the waves toward the horizon and the sun, symbols of freedom, warmth, and transcendence.

The sea continues to be portrayed as a nurturing, playful presence: "Wild wind will sing over him, / And the free foam cover him, / Swimming seaward, sunward, / On a blithe sea-breast!" The use of the word "blithe" emphasizes the joyous, carefree nature of the sea, as if it is a living being that cradles and protects the swimmer. The sea is described as having a "blithe sea-bosom," where the swimmer and a "live sea-blossom," a grey-winged sea-mew (seagull), both swim in harmony. The companionship of the sea-mew further reinforces the idea of unity with nature, as the swimmer is joined by a creature that is also at home in the water and air.

The color imagery in the poem, particularly the description of the "grape green" waves, creates a vivid picture of the ocean’s beauty. The waves are in constant motion, "by whose hurrying line / Half of ships and caves are / Buried under brine." This reminds the reader of the sea’s immense power, capable of covering and consuming even the largest human-made structures or natural formations. The ever-shifting, "lucent" waves with their "pearly surface-changes" emphasize the fluid, transformative nature of the sea, which is never static and always in motion.

However, Noel’s poem also acknowledges the potential danger that comes with surrendering to the sea. The final lines introduce a darker element: "And if, while on the billow / Wearily he lay, / His awful wild playfellow / Filled his mouth with spray, / Reft him of his breath, / To some far realms away / He would float with Death." The sea, which has been portrayed as playful and nurturing, now becomes an "awful wild playfellow" that could easily take the swimmer’s life. The sea’s dual nature is highlighted here—it is both a source of joy and freedom and a powerful, uncontrollable force that can claim lives. The swimmer, if taken by the sea, would "float with Death" to a realm of "wondrous dreams, / And shadow-haunted ocean gleams." Even in death, the sea retains its dreamlike, mystical quality, suggesting that surrender to the ocean leads to a continuation of existence in a different form, a transition from life to a realm of eternal wonder.

In "The Swimmer (2)", Noel presents the sea as a powerful, dynamic force that offers both joy and danger. The swimmer’s journey is one of both physical immersion and spiritual surrender, as they embrace the sea’s energy and allow themselves to be carried by its waves. The poem captures the exhilarating freedom that comes from being at one with nature, while also acknowledging the risks that come with such surrender. Through vivid, sensory-rich language and a rhythmic flow that mimics the movement of the sea, Noel creates a powerful meditation on the beauty and mystery of the ocean, making the swimmer’s experience one of both liberation and existential reflection.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...