Sea Longing by Sara Teasdale (1915)
The poem expresses a deep yearning for the sea, contrasting the speaker's current inland existence with the allure of the ocean. The imagery evokes a vivid sense of longing, as the speaker imagines the soothing sounds and sensations of the waves, which symbolize freedom and a connection to nature. The sea represents an escape from the burdens of life, with its rhythmic ebb and flow offering solace to the soul. The speaker's desire to be enveloped by the tide reflects a wish to relinquish individuality and merge with the natural world, highlighting themes of longing, identity, and the search for peace. The poem captures the tension between the speaker's physical location and their emotional connection to the sea, illustrating a profound sense of displacement and a yearning for belonging. The imagery of the waves, the tide, and the sea-gulls reinforces the idea of a powerful, almost spiritual bond with the ocean, suggesting that true fulfillment lies in returning to this elemental force. The work ultimately conveys a poignant exploration of the human condition, emphasizing the desire for connection with nature as a means of transcending the struggles of existence.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1915 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Romanticism · 167 words
First lines
A THOUSAND miles beyond this sun-steeped wall Somewhere the waves creep cool along the sand, The ebbing tide forsakes the listless land With the old murmur, long and musical; The windy waves mount up and curve and fall, And round the rocks the foam blows up like snow, -- Tho' I am inland far, I hear and know, For I was born the sea's eternal thrall.
I would that I were there and over me The cold insistence of the tide would roll, Quenching this burning thing men call the soul, -- Then with the ebbing I should drift and be Less than the smallest shell along the shoal, Less than the sea-gulls calling to the sea.
What this Textopian page supports
Sea Longing 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, Lyric, Romanticism, Nature Writing, Symbolism
- Length: 167 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of longing and connection to the sea.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and feelings, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature and deep emotional longing align with Romantic literary ideals.
- Nature Writing — The vivid imagery of the sea and natural elements reflects a focus on nature.
Tags
sea · longing · nature · ocean · waves · tide · sand · landscape · yearning · freedom · solitude · melancholy