By the Sea by Sara Teasdale (1915)
The poem explores themes of love, deception, and emotional vulnerability against the backdrop of a northern sea. The speaker reflects on a relationship characterized by insincerity and superficial charm. The male figure presents himself as a skilled lover, engaging in flirtation without genuine commitment. The speaker feels a disconnect, recognizing the artifice in his affection and the emptiness of their interactions. As they walk by the sea, the speaker grapples with her own feelings, caught between laughter and sorrow. The lighthouse serves as a symbol of guidance and change, illuminating her internal struggle. The speaker's laughter, which should signify joy, instead reveals her pain and confusion, akin to a person waking from a dream, unaware of their own reality. The tension escalates as the speaker contemplates the consequences of revealing her true emotions. She fears that if she were to express her vulnerability, it would shatter the facade they maintain. The poem culminates in a poignant reflection on the nature of love and the fear of exposure, highlighting the complexities of human connection and the masks people wear in relationships. The interplay of light and darkness, both in the setting and the speaker's emotions, underscores the duality of love—its beauty and its potential for heartbreak.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1915 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric Poetry · 225 words
First lines
Beside an ebbing northern sea While stars awaken one by one, We walk together, I and he.
He woos me with an easy grace That proves him only half sincere; A light smile flickers on his face.
To him love-making is an art, And as a flutist plays a flute, So does he play upon his heart
A music varied to his whim. He has no use for love of mine, He would not have me answer him.
What this Textopian page supports
By the Sea is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1915 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Sara Teasdale
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric Poetry, Modernism, Nature Poetry
- Length: 225 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and explores emotional themes.
- Romanticism — The poem delves into themes of love, desire, and emotional complexity, characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal feelings and thoughts, focusing on the speaker's emotional experience.
- Modernism — The poem reflects modernist themes of disillusionment and complex emotional states.
Tags
love · heartbreak · deception · sea · night · stars · lighthouse · longing · sincerity · art · music · emotions