A Child's Pet

By William Henry Davies

Narrative Poem
    When I sailed out of Baltimore      With twice a thousand head of sheep,     They would not eat, they would not drink,      But bleated o'er the deep.     Inside the pens we crawled each day,      To sort the living from the dead;     And when we reached the Mersey's mouth      Had lost five hundred head.     Yet every night and day one sheep,      That had no fear of man or sea,     Stuck through the bars its pleading face,      And it was stroked by me.     And to the sheep-men standing near,      'You see,' I said, 'this one tame sheep:     It seems a child has lost her pet,      And cried herself to sleep.'     So every time we passed it by,      Sailing to England's slaughter-house,     Eight ragged sheep-men - tramps and thieves -      Would stroke that sheep's black nose.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem presents a scathing critique of the British wool trade, specifically the treatment of sheep during the transatlantic journey to England. The speaker's narrative is marked by a stark contrast between the sheep's inhumanity and the emotional connection they form with a lone, plucky animal. The poem's structure, with its simple, direct language and consistent lineation, reinforces the sense of stark reality. The use of enjambment and caesura creates a sense of urgency and desperation, underscoring the cruelty of the trade. A structural turn occurs when the speaker, having established the sheep's vulnerability, shifts the focus to the emotional response of the sheep-men, who are able to find empathy in the plucky animal's presence. This tonal shift highlights the humanization of the sheep and serves as a commentary on the dehumanizing effects of industrialized labor. The final observation is that the sheep's black nose, once a symbol of its vulnerability, becomes a source of comfort for the ragged sheep-men, suggesting that even in the most inhumane of situations, small acts of kindness can provide solace.

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.