Author: Rudyard Kipling
Mine was the woman to me, darkling I found her: Haling her dumb from the camp, held her and bound her. Hot rose her tribe on our track ere I had proved her; Hearing her laugh in the gloom, greatly I loved her. Swift through the forest we ran, none stood to guard us, Few were my people and far; then the flood barred us, Him we call Son of the Sea, sullen and swollen. Panting we waited the death, stealer and stolen. Yet ere they came to my lance laid for the slaughter, Lightly she leaped to a log lapped in the water; Holding on high and apart skins that arrayed her, Called she the God of the Wind that He should aid her. Life had the tree at that word (Praise we the Giver!) Otter-like left he the bank for the full river. Far fell their axes behind, flashing and ringing, Wonder was on me and fear, yet she was singing! Low lay the land we had left. Now the blue bound us, Even the Floor of the Gods level around us. Whisper there was not, nor word, shadow nor showing, Till the light stirred on the deep, glowing and growing. Then did He leap to His place flaring from under, He the Compeller, the Sun, bared to our wonder. Nay, not a league from our eyes blinded with gazing, Cleared He the Gate of the World, huge and amazing! This we beheld (and we live), the Pit of the Burning! Then the God spoke to the tree for our returning; Back to the beach of our flight, fearless and slowly, Back to our slayers went he; but we were holy. Men that were hot in that hunt, women that followed, Babes that were promised our bones, trembled and wallowed. Over the necks of the Tribe crouching and fawning, Prophet and priestess we came back from the dawning!
Type of Poem: Ballad
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem is a gripping narrative that draws heavily on the themes of love, survival, divine intervention, and tribal conflict. Its rich, evocative language and vivid imagery create a high-stakes adventure that is as romantic as it is perilous. The poem's tone is intense and dramatic, filled with a sense of urgency and danger that permeates every line and propels the narrative forward at a breathless pace.
The structure of the poem contributes significantly to its storytelling power. The poet employs a rhyming scheme and a rhythmic cadence that echo the swift, relentless pace of the narrative. The use of alliteration and repetition further enhances the poem's musicality and lends an incantatory quality to the verses, underlining the spiritual dimension of the narrative. The poem's standout literary device is its symbolic use of natural elements—the forest, the river, the sun—as both obstacles and aids in the protagonist's quest for survival and love. These nature symbols also serve to emphasize the poem's overarching theme of divine intervention. The woman's appeal to the God of the Wind, the transformation of the tree, and the awe-inspiring appearance of the sun all portray the protagonists as favored by the divine, which ultimately leads to their survival and triumphant return. This divine favor casts them as holy figures, inspiring fear and reverence in their pursuers.
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.
Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:
From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.