Dutch Lulla

By Eugene Field

Narrative Poem
    Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night     Sailed off in a wooden shoe,--     Sailed on a river of misty light     Into a sea of dew.     "Where are you going, and what do you wish?"     The old moon asked the three.     "We have come to fish for the herring-fish     That live in this beautiful sea;     Nets of silver and gold have we,"     Said Wynken,     Blynken,     And Nod.     The old moon laughed and sung a song,     As they rocked in the wooden shoe;     And the wind that sped them all night long     Ruffled the waves of dew;     The little stars were the herring-fish     That lived in the beautiful sea.     "Now cast your nets wherever you wish,     But never afeard are we!"     So cried the stars to the fishermen three,     Wynken,     Blynken,     And Nod.     All night long their nets they threw     For the fish in the twinkling foam,     Then down from the sky came the wooden shoe,     Bringing the fishermen home;     'T was all so pretty a sail, it seemed     As if it could not be;     And some folk thought 't was a dream they'd dreamed     Of sailing that beautiful sea;     But I shall name you the fishermen three:     Wynken,     Blynken,     And Nod.     Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,     And Nod is a little head,     And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies     Is a wee one's trundle-bed;     So shut your eyes while Mother sings     Of wonderful sights that be,     And you shall see the beautiful things     As you rock on the misty sea     Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three,--     Wynken,     Blynken,     And Nod.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This charming poem, filled with whimsical imagery and delightful rhyme, is an enchanting journey into the world of childhood imagination. The narrative follows three characters, Wynken, Blynken, and Nod, as they embark on a nocturnal fishing adventure in a wooden shoe. The poem's theme is a blend of bedtime lullaby and an adventurous dream, which is accentuated by the playful and soothing tone throughout the poem.

The poem employs a consistent rhyme scheme that adds to the sing-song quality, making it feel like a nursery rhyme or a lullaby. There's a clever use of metaphor, notably where the stars are referred to as "herring-fish", and the wooden shoe, which turns out to be a child's trundle bed, suggests a journey into the realm of dreams. This transformation of the ordinary into the extraordinary is a perfect reflection of the world as perceived through a child's eyes. In the concluding stanzas, the poet reveals that Wynken, Blynken, and Nod are not literal fishermen, but symbolic representations of two eyes and a head, adding a layer of depth to the poem and cementing its place as a tribute to the power of dreams and the limitless bounds of a child's imagination.

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.