The Sea Wind by Sara Teasdale (1917)

Name: The Sea Wind
Author: Sara Teasdale

The poem presents a reflective and introspective speaker who embodies a tranquil pool, characterized by its serene surroundings and connection to the natural world. The speaker describes an intimate relationship with the sky, stars, and moon, suggesting a deep appreciation for the beauty and tranquility of their environment. However, this peace is disrupted by the persistent call of the sea, which evokes feelings of longing and unease. The speaker acknowledges the presence of marsh-grass that provides a sense of enclosure and safety, yet the wind, a symbol of change and movement, intrudes upon this calm. The wind's whispers awaken the speaker from sleep, bringing with it the haunting sound of the distant sea. This duality of peace and disturbance highlights the tension between the speaker's desire for tranquility and the allure of the unknown represented by the sea. The repeated questioning of why the wind always carries the sound of the sea emphasizes a sense of yearning and curiosity. The sea, while beautiful, is also described as "terrible," suggesting a complex relationship with the vastness and unpredictability of life. The speaker's reflections reveal an internal struggle between the comfort of their current existence and the compelling, yet intimidating, call of the sea. Overall, the work explores themes of nature, longing, and the dichotomy of peace versus chaos, illustrating the speaker's deep connection to their surroundings while grappling with the allure of the unknown. The imagery evokes a sense of beauty intertwined with a hint of melancholy, capturing the essence of human emotion in relation to the natural world.

By Sara Teasdale · First published 1917 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romanticism · 134 words

First lines

I AM a pool in a peaceful place, I greet the great sky face to face, I know the stars and the stately moon And the wind that runs with rippling shoon -- But why does it always bring to me The far-off, beautiful sound of the sea?

The marsh-grass weaves me a wall of green, But the wind comes whispering in between, In the dead of night when the sky is deep The wind comes waking me out of sleep -- Why does it always bring to me The far-off, terrible call of the sea?

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The Sea Wind is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1917 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Sara Teasdale
Date: 1917 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Imagism
Length: 134 words
Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Nature Poetry — The imagery of the sea, wind, and natural elements highlights the connection to nature.
Romanticism — Themes of beauty, emotion, and the sublime reflect Romantic ideals.
Symbolism — The sea and wind serve as symbols for deeper emotional and existential themes.