The Sands of Dee

By Adam Lindsay Gordon

Narrative Poem
The sands of Dee are cold and gray, And the waves come rolling in. The fisher's boat is far away, And the tide is full and thin. The night is dark, and the wind is high, And the waves are rough and strong. The fisher's wife looks out to sea, And sings a mournful song. She sings of the days when the sea was calm, And the fish were plenty and bright. She sings of the nights when the boat came home, With the morning's first soft light. But now the sea is wild and dark, And the boat is far from shore. And the fisher's wife knows in her heart, That she will see her love no more.
Written: 1869-01-01

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Poem Details

Date Written: 1869-01-01
Date Published: 1870-01-01
Language: English
Keywords: Sands, Sea, Fisher, Love, Loss
Source: Sea Spray and Smoke Drift
Publisher: Clarson, Massina & Co.
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
A haunting narrative poem that tells the story of a fisher's wife who mourns the loss of her love at sea, with the cold and gray sands of Dee serving as a backdrop.

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.