The Gulf Stream by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of a romantic relationship that has gone cold, likening it to the Gulf Stream, which was once warm but has now lost its heat. The speaker reflects on the past when their love was passionate and all-consuming, but now it has dwindled to nothing. The poem expresses a sense of longing and nostalgia for what has been lost.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1899 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Adventure · 171 words
First lines
Skilled mariner, and counted sane and wise, / That was a curious thing which chanced to me, / So good a sailor on so fair a sea. / With favouring winds and blue unshadowed skies, / Led by the faithful beacon of Love's eyes, / Past reef and shoal, my life-boat bounded free / And fearless of all changes that might be / Under calm waves, where many a sunk rock lies.
A golden dawn; yet suddenly my barque / Strained at the sails, as in a cyclone's blast; / And battled with an unseen current's force, / For we had entered when the night was dark / That old tempestuous Gulf Stream of the Past. / But for love's eyes, I had not kept the course.
What this Textopian page supports
The Gulf Stream is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Adventure, Philosophical, Historical
- Length: 171 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Gulf Stream by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse with a focus on rhythm and meter.
- Romance — Themes of love and relationships are central to the narrative.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and the challenges faced during it.
- Philosophical — The text explores deeper meanings and reflections on life and love.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Ocean · Gulf Stream · Sea · Waves · Tides · Currents · Marine Life · Ecosystem · Environment · Conservation