Lo, on the distance a dark blue ravine
A dark blue ravine runs through the landscape, a symbol of the unknown and the mysterious. The poem explores the idea that life is full of hidden dangers and unseen forces, and that we must be brave and curious to navigate its twists and turns. The speaker urges the reader to embrace the darkness and uncertainty of life, and to trust in their own inner wisdom and resilience.
By Bliss Carman · First published 1898 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romanticism · 290 words
First lines
Lo, on the distance a dark blue ravine, / A fold in the mountainous forests of fir, / Cleft from the sky-line sheer down to the shore!
Above are the clouds and the white, pealing gulls, / At its foot is the rough broken foam of the sea, / With ever anon the long deep muffled roar, -- / A sigh from the fitful great heart of the world.
Then inland just where the small meadow begins, / Well bulwarked with boulders that jut in the tide, / Lies safe beyond storm-beat the harbour in sun.
See where the black fishing-boats, each at its buoy, / Ride up on the swell with their dare-danger prows, / To sight o'er the sea-rim what venture may come!
What this Textopian page supports
Lo, on the distance a dark blue ravine is listed on Textopian as a poem by Bliss Carman, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Bliss Carman
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romanticism, Imagism, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 290 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Lo, on the distance a dark blue ravine by Bliss Carman
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work exhibits strong emotional expression and vivid imagery typical of lyric poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The poem focuses on natural landscapes and the relationship between humanity and nature.
- Romanticism — Themes of beauty, emotion, and the sublime in nature align with Romantic literary ideals.
- Imagism — The use of precise imagery and clear language reflects characteristics of Imagist poetry.
Tags
Nature poetry · Romanticism · Melancholy · Loneliness · Solitude · Wilderness · Isolation · Longing · Yearning · Desire · Love · Tragedy