Author: Abram Joseph Ryan
The waves were weary, and they went to sleep; The winds were hushed; The starlight flushed The furrowed face of all the mighty deep. The billows yester eve so dark and wild, Wore strangely now A calm upon their brow, Like that which rests upon a cradled child. The sky was bright, and every single star, With gleaming face, Was in its place, And looked upon the sea -- so fair and far. And all was still -- still as a temple dim, When low and faint, As murmurs plaint, Dies the last note of the Vesper hymn. A bark slept on the sea, and in the bark Slept Mary's Son -- The only One Whose face is light! where all, all else, is dark. His brow was heavenward turned, His face was fair He dreamed of me On that still sea -- The stars He made were gleaming through His hair. And lo! a moan moved o'er the mighty deep; The sky grew dark: The little bark Felt all the waves awaking from their sleep. The winds wailed wild, and wilder billows beat; The bark was tossed: Shall all be lost? But Mary's Son slept on, serene and sweet. The tempest raged in all its mighty wrath, The winds howled on, All hope seemed gone, And darker waves surged round the bark's lone path. The sleeper woke! He gazed upon the deep; He whispered: "Peace! Winds -- wild waves, cease! Be still!" The tempest fled -- the ocean fell asleep. And ah! when human hearts by storms are tossed, When life's lone bark Drifts through the dark And 'mid the wildest waves where all seems lost, He now, as then, with words of power and peace, Murmurs: "Stormy deep, Be still -- still -- and sleep!" And lo! a great calm comes -- the tempest's perils cease.
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem is a powerful depiction of the sea's uneasy tranquility and the divine intervention that restores peace in the face of tempestuous chaos. The central theme appears to be the contrast between the relentless, often chaotic forces of nature and the calming, all-powerful presence of the divine. This dichotomy is presented through striking metaphors and vivid imagery.
The poem's structure and rhythm mimic the undulating waves and the fluctuating emotions of fear and relief. The initial stanzas establish a serene scene, characterized by weary waves, hushed winds, and starlight illuminating the sea. The calm is disrupted by the emergence of a tempest, which is depicted through dynamic language that heightens the sense of danger and turmoil.
The poet uses repetition effectively to emphasize the commanding, reassuring voice of the divine figure, identified as 'Mary's Son,' a reference to Jesus Christ. This religious allusion infuses the poem with a spiritual dimension, presenting the divine force as a beacon of hope and peace amidst the tumultuous sea. The poem concludes with a message of reassurance - the belief in the divine's ability to restore calm and order even in the face of severe adversity.
Overall, this poem is an exploration of faith, resilience, and the divine's omnipotence. Its rich imagery, rhythmic structure, and compelling figurative language create a vivid narrative that resonates with the reader, inviting them to reflect on the power of faith in overcoming life's storms.
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:
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.