In a Boat by Hilaire Belloc (1906)
The poem describes a boat that has been left to drift on the water. The speaker reflects on how the boat's fate is tied to the whims of nature and the passage of time. As the seasons change, the boat becomes worn and weathered, its beauty lost to the elements. Despite this, the speaker finds a sense of peace in the boat's abandonment, seeing it as a symbol of the transience of human existence.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Maritime · 190 words
First lines
Lady! Lady!
Upon Heaven-height, Above the harsh morning In the mere light.
Above the spindrift And above the snow, Where no seas tumble, And no winds blow.
The twisting tides, And the perilous sands Upon all sides Are in your holy hands.
What this Textopian page supports
In a Boat is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious, Maritime, Lyric
- Length: 190 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for In a Boat by Hilaire Belloc
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- The Porcupine by Hilaire Belloc
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Religious — The text contains religious themes, invoking the Virgin Mary and referencing Christian imagery.
- Maritime — The poem includes references to the sea, tides, and nautical imagery, aligning with maritime themes.
- Lyric — The personal and emotional appeal of the speaker's plea fits the characteristics of a lyric poem.
Tags
Poetry · Nonsense Verse · Children's Literature · Satire · Humor · Wordplay · Language Play · Rhythm · Meter · Verse Form · Imagery · Symbolism