The River by Sara Teasdale (1917)
The poem explores the journey of a speaker who leaves the comfort of sunny valleys in search of peace at the ocean. Initially, the speaker believes that the vastness of the sea will provide solace. However, upon arrival, the ocean is depicted as wild and dark, contrasting sharply with the speaker's expectations. The speaker expresses a longing to return to the valleys, feeling overwhelmed and consumed by the harshness of the sea. The imagery of the "thirsty tide" and "salt waves" symbolizes the loss of innocence and the transformation from freshness to bitterness, reflecting a deeper existential struggle. The work encapsulates themes of disillusionment, the search for peace, and the impact of nature on the human spirit. The speaker's emotional turmoil highlights the tension between the idealized vision of freedom and the stark reality of the ocean's power. Ultimately, the poem conveys a sense of yearning for the simplicity and comfort of the past, juxtaposed with the harsh truths of the present.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1917 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romanticism · 114 words
First lines
I CAME from the sunny valleys And sought for the open sea, For I thought in its gray expanses My peace would come to me.
I came at last to the ocean And found it wild and black, And I cried to the windless valleys, "Be kind and take me back!"
But the thirsty tide ran inland, And the salt waves drank of me, And I who was fresh as the rainfall Am bitter as the sea.
What this Textopian page supports
The River is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Modernism
- Length: 114 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The River by Sara Teasdale
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The imagery of the river and ocean highlights the relationship between nature and human experience.
- Romanticism — Themes of longing and emotional depth align with Romantic ideals.
- Symbolism — The river and ocean serve as symbols for personal transformation and emotional states.
Tags
nature · ocean · river · journey · self-discovery · longing · peace · contrast · bitterness · loss · yearning · emotions