A Sea Dirge Poem by Lewis Carroll

A Sea Dirge

Rating: 3.3


There are certain things - as, a spider, a ghost,
The income-tax, gout, an umbrella for three -
That I hate, but the thing that I hate the most
Is a thing they call the Sea.

Pour some salt water over the floor -
Ugly I'm sure you'll allow it to be:
Suppose it extended a mile or more,
THAT'S very like the Sea.

Beat a dog till it howls outright -
Cruel, but all very well for a spree:
Suppose that he did so day and night,
THAT would be like the Sea.

I had a vision of nursery-maids;
Tens of thousands passed by me -
All leading children with wooden spades,
And this was by the Sea.

Who invented those spades of wood?
Who was it cut them out of the tree?
None, I think, but an idiot could -
Or one that loved the Sea.

It is pleasant and dreamy, no doubt, to float
With 'thoughts as boundless, and souls as free':
But, suppose you are very unwell in the boat,
How do you like the Sea?

There is an insect that people avoid
(Whence is derived the verb 'to flee').
Where have you been by it most annoyed?
In lodgings by the Sea.

If you like your coffee with sand for dregs,
A decided hint of salt in your tea,
And a fishy taste in the very eggs -
By all means choose the Sea.

And if, with these dainties to drink and eat,
You prefer not a vestige of grass or tree,
And a chronic state of wet in your feet,
Then - I recommend the Sea.

For I have friends who dwell by the coast -
Pleasant friends they are to me!
It is when I am with them I wonder most
That anyone likes the Sea.

They take me a walk: though tired and stiff,
To climb the heights I madly agree;
And, after a tumble or so from the cliff,
They kindly suggest the Sea.

I try the rocks, and I think it cool
That they laugh with such an excess of glee,
As I heavily slip into every pool
That skirts the cold cold Sea.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Susan Williams 13 February 2016

Lewis Carroll isn't one to languish on the shore extolling the beauties of the sea- -no, it is obvious that he has been at sea and did not like it one bit. This is what a real writer does- he expresses his thoughts and his emotions not those of his audience. If we had no difference of opinion, just think how ordinary and gray life would be

25 0 Reply
everything has a name but me 28 December 2007

Ooh, I very much dislike this poem. I remember just reading of a reference to one of his poems. He must be a very good poet, nevertheless.

8 9 Reply
Brian Jani 13 May 2014

Lewis carol Amazing poetic skills here

5 2 Reply
M Asim Nehal 13 February 2016

Some fantastic lines in your poem I liked it I try the rocks, and I think it cool That they laugh with such an excess of glee, As I heavily slip into every pool That skirts the cold cold Sea.

4 0 Reply
* Sunprincess * 01 April 2014

........the sea is special...it supports so much life, in the sea and out of the sea...so many people's diet is from the sea...enjoyed this write...

2 1 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 25 April 2021

The great classic poet was also a finest author of the world famous story of Alice In Wonderland, how amazing! So had he described this dirge of the sea, he liked anything but not that sea, a lovely sea dirge. I lost my way here so now I can just respond

0 0 Reply
Gajanan Mishra 24 April 2021

Great one, inspiring most

0 0 Reply
Rose Marie Juan-austin 24 April 2021

Beautiful and well crafted poem. Liked the ultimate stanza.

0 0 Reply
Prakash Das 11 May 2018

Very beautiful poem is this ...... I like the most

1 0 Reply
Segun Animashaun 17 December 2016

Brilliant, astonishing poem this is. It almost want to make me wish I wrote it myself! Very Captivating!!!

1 1 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Close
Error Success