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A Little Boy's Dream by Katherine Mansfield   
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Katherine Mansfield
Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923 / Wellington / New Zealand)
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Mansfield was born Kathleen Mansfield Beauchamp, in 1888, into a socially prominent family in Wellington, New Zealand. The daughter of a banker and bo .. more >>
71 poems of Katherine Mansfield
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  A Little Boy's Dream

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7.2 /10
(23 votes)



  To and fro, to and fro
In my little boat I go
Sailing far across the sea
All alone, just little me.
And the sea is big and strong
And the journey very long.
To and fro, to and fro
In my little boat I go.

Sea and sky, sea and sky,
Quietly on the deck I lie,
Having just a little rest.
I have really done my best
In an awful pirate fight,
But we cdaptured them all right.
Sea and sky, sea and sky,
Quietly on the deck I lie--

Far away, far away
From my home and from my play,
On a journey without end
Only with the sea for friend
And the fishes in the sea.
But they swim away from me
Far away, far away
From my home and from my play.

Then he cried "O Mother dear."
And he woke and sat upright,
They were in the rocking chair,
Mother's arms around him--tight.

Katherine Mansfield


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  Comments about this poem (A Little Boy's Dream by Katherine Mansfield )
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  Catty Bails  (10/23/2008 8:40:00 PM)

woh, , , okay that felt like i was rocking along with the boat, the way that you placed the words was amazing...i am truly inspired. keep writing :)
.xx. cat.xx.
  Michael Pruchnicki  (10/23/2008 4:07:00 PM)

Mansfield's admiration for the short stories of Anton Chekhov comes through in this delightful slice of life poem about a little boy's dream. She wrote often about women and children with the utmost of delicacy and psychological insight. It's not so much a tribute to a mother's love for her male child, as it is an honest account of what most little boys would likely dream about!

She understands that boys by their very nature seek adventure and identify with swashbucklers of every stripe. Whether it be the Lone Ranger and Tonto or today's Spiderman, boys fantasize about capturing pirates and bad guys. Watch boys play with trucks and guns and sailboats in the bathtub, and you'll see how much Mansfield understands the desires and dreams of the male animal. What boy hasn't dreamt of running away to sea?

Incidentally, Mansfield uses simple words and images to convey a feeling of being a child and seeing the world in childish ways. But it's so delicate and subtle that most of you agree it could be to music as a lullaby and enjoyed by adults.
  Nyna Bankard  (10/23/2008 12:50:00 PM)

What a great poem! It flows very nicely, great job!
  Pamela Gordon  (10/23/2008 4:00:00 AM)

I like the last part of the poem - when the boy awakes and finds himself in his Mother's arms tight! - a tribute to a Mother whose arms are always a place to find comfort at any time!
  Laurel Fasching  (7/20/2008 1:25:00 AM)

i liked it.
for me it showed the closeness between a mother and her child
and it also showed how adventerous children are wether its in a dream
or in actual life.
well done
: D
  Duncan Wyllie  (10/23/2007 1:12:00 PM)

What a wonderful and expressive tallent this poem shows,
Just lovely
Love duncan X
  Marilyn Lott  (10/23/2007 7:48:00 AM)

What an adorable children's poem. I love it!
Marilyn
  Alan Wang  (10/29/2006 1:55:00 AM)

It's a pity I do not know much skills, but if there is a musician out there, please put this poem to a song. The easy wording, clear viewing, crispy syllables are just eligible for a popular piece, world level.

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