Evening: Barents Sea

By Ben Jonson

Narrative Poem
The trawl of unquiet mind drops astern Great lucid streamers bar the sky ahead (bifurcated banners at a tourney) light alchemizes the brass on the bridge into sallow gold now the short northern autumn day closes quickly the thin coast (of grey Norway is it, or of Russia?) distinguished only as a formal change in the pattern of clouds on our port side on the deck the strung lights illuminate no movement but the sullen swill of water in the washer, but the unnatural way dead starfish and disregarded dabs swim in the strict seas surging through the bilges and out. A fishgut hangs like a hank of hair from the iron grill in a pound board brighter now that the sun, the fishfinder's green bleep catches the skipper's intentness and the trawl is down, is out, is catching!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
"The trawl of unquiet mind drops astern" is a rich and evocative poem that uses vivid imagery and metaphor to capture a moment in time and reflect on the inner workings of the human mind. The poem skillfully intertwines the physical realm of a maritime journey with the metaphorical journey of the human consciousness. The juxtaposition of tangible elements such as the "brass on the bridge" and "the strung lights" with more abstract concepts like the "unquiet mind" and "lucid streamers" creates a sense of depth and complexity. The use of specific details, such as the "bifurcated banners at a tourney," contributes to the overall realism of the poem and deepens its metaphorical implications, as the banners could symbolize internal conflicts or dualities within the human mind.

In the second half of the poem, the imagery becomes darker and more introspective. The mention of "dead starfish and disregarded dabs" swimming in the

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.