Author: Rudyard Kipling

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    Rain on the face of the sea,
        Rain on the sodden land,
    And the window-pane is blurred with rain
        As I watch it, pen in hand.

    Mist on the face of the sea,
        Mist on the sodden land,
    Filling the vales as daylight fails,
        And blotting the desolate sand.

    Voices from out of the mist,
        Calling to one another:
    "Hath love an end, thou more than friend,
        Thou dearer than ever brother?"

    Voices from out of the mist,
        Calling and passing away;
    But I cannot speak, for my voice is weak,
        And ... this is the end of my lay.

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Type of Poem: Lyric 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 poignant exploration of themes such as loneliness, longing, and the passage of time. The repeated motif of rain and mist serves as a powerful metaphor for the blurred, uncertain nature of the speaker's emotions and thoughts. The initial focus on the natural world - the sea, the land, the rain - establishes a melancholic, introspective tone, which is further heightened by the desolate imagery of "sodden land" and "blotting the desolate sand."

Structurally, the poem is organized into four stanzas, each presenting a scenario or a state of mind. The repetition of phrases such as "Rain on the face of the sea" and "Voices from out of the mist" gives the poem a rhythmic, almost chant-like quality. This repetition also underscores the speaker's contemplative state and his fixation on certain aspects of his environment and interior world.

In the final stanzas, the introduction of voices "from out of the mist" personifies the speaker's internal dialogue or memories, adding a layer of complexity to the poem. The voices ask profound, existential questions about love and relationships, hinting at a sense of lost connection. The speaker's inability to respond due to a "weak" voice may suggest feelings of powerless or regret. The poem ends on a somber note, declaring "this is the end of my lay," which might signify a resignation to silence or the end of a creative or expressive process. Overall, the poem is a richly layered exploration of solitude and introspection, conveyed through evocative natural imagery and a melancholy tone.