Turn o' the Tide (of Skies and Seasons)
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his childhood home after many years abroad. He finds that the house has been sold and he must confront the reality of change in his life. The narrative explores themes of nostalgia, identity, and the passage of time as the protagonist grapples with his past and present selves.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1908 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism · 283 words
First lines
The tide flows in to the harbour, -- The bold tide, the gold tide, the flood o' the sunlit sea, -- And the little ships riding at anchor, Are swinging and slanting their prows to the ocean, panting To lift their wings to the wide wild air, And venture a voyage they know not where, -- To fly away and be free!
The tide runs out of the harbour, -- The low tide, the slow tide, the ebb o' the moonlit bay, -- And the little ships rocking at anchor, Are rounding and turning their bows to the landward, yearning To breathe the breath of the sun-warmed strand, To rest in the lee of the high hill land, -- To hold their haven and stay!
What this Textopian page supports
Turn o' the Tide (of Skies and Seasons) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism, Symbolism, Lyric
- Length: 283 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Turn o' the Tide (of Skies and Seasons) by Henry Van Dyke
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- How does this poem by Henry Van Dyke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- Nature — The text vividly describes natural elements such as the tide, sea, and land, emphasizing their beauty and power.
- Romanticism — The work expresses a deep emotional connection to nature and the sea, characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Symbolism — The tide and ships serve as symbols for freedom and longing, adding layers of meaning to the text.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Poetic Prose · Nature Writing · Seasonal Themes · Cosmic Imagery · Symbolic Language · Allegorical Storytelling · Meditative Tone · Existential Questions · Spiritual Quests · Mythological Allusions · Aesthetic Appreciation