The Secret of the Sea
By Edwin John Dove Pratt
Tell me thy secret, O Sea,
The mystery sealed in thy breast;
Come, breathe it in whispers to me,
A child of thy fevered unrest.
It's midnight, and from me has sleep
Flown afar, like a bird on the wing,
All tired is my heart as I weep
Through a winter that knows not a spring.
Why dost thou respond to my plea
With only a minor refrain?
Thy voice in a moan floats to me,
As an echo sobbed from my pain.
Hast thou a grief, too, like mine,
That never heals with the years;
A bosom entombing a shrine
Bedewed with the waste of thy tears?
Where lies my loved one to-night
Beneath thy grey mantle so wide?
I would that his slumber were light,
To wake with the flow of the tide.
Should he not wake, bear him this,
An amaranth plucked from my heart;
Wreathe it soft in his dreams with a kiss,
Then return, and ere I depart.
On the flood of my soul's overflow.
Borne on by my grief from the wild
Of this storm-beaten life, let me know
How he slept; let me know if he smiled.
Poem Analysis:
Edwin John Dove Pratt's poem, "The Secret of the Sea," navigates the depths of human longing and grief through a poignant conversation with the enigmatic sea. This analysis explores the thematic elements, vivid imagery, and emotional nuances embedded within the verses, as the speaker seeks solace and connection with the vast, mysterious sea.
- Yearning for the Sea's Secret: The poem opens with an intimate plea addressed to the sea, inviting it to share its secrets with the speaker. This yearning for knowledge reflects a deeper quest for understanding life's mysteries, encapsulated in the metaphor of the sea's vast and unknowable expanse. The sea becomes a confidante, holding within its waves the answers sought by the troubled heart.
- A Child of Restless Unrest: The speaker identifies themselves as a "child of thy fevered unrest," emphasizing a profound connection between the speaker's internal turmoil and the tumultuous nature of the sea. This identification sets the tone for a shared experience of unrest and hints at a kinship between the human soul and the eternal restlessness of the sea.
- Midnight Reflections: The setting of midnight adds a layer of solitude and introspection to the poem. The speaker's inability to find sleep, described as having "flown afar," sets the stage for a reflective dialogue with the sea. The stillness of the night amplifies the speaker's emotional vulnerability, creating a canvas for the sea's response to echo more profoundly.
- The Sea's Minor Refrain: As the sea responds to the plea, its voice is characterized by a "minor refrain." This musical term introduces an element of melancholy and sorrow to the sea's communication. The sea, like the speaker, seems to carry its own grief, and the minor refrain becomes a poignant expression of shared pain and loss.
- Grief and Longing: The central themes of grief and longing permeate the poem. The speaker's heart is weary, and their tears seem to mingle with the sea's own sorrows. The sea becomes a metaphor for the vastness of emotional pain, and the speaker seeks solace in the possibility of shared experiences, even with an entity as vast and mysterious as the sea.
- A Yearning for Connection: The speaker's thoughts turn to a loved one lying beneath the sea's "grey mantle," expressing a desire for connection beyond the boundaries of life and death. The act of sending an amaranth—a symbol of immortality—conveys an earnest plea for continuity and a shared existence beyond the veil of mortality.
"The Secret of the Sea" by Edwin John Dove Pratt unfolds as a soulful conversation between the speaker and the sea, delving into themes of mystery, grief, and a yearning for connection. Through vivid imagery and emotional resonance, the poem explores the shared unrest of the human heart and the boundless depths of the sea, ultimately creating a poignant meditation on the complexities of life and the solace found in shared sorrow.