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The Sea

The sea is a hungry dog,
Giant and grey.
He rolls on the beach all day.
With his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws
Hour upon hour he gnaws
The rumbling, tumbling stones,
And 'Bones, bones, bones, bones! '
The giant sea-dog moans,
Licking his greasy paws.

And when the night wind roars
And the moon rocks in the stormy cloud,
He bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs,
Shaking his wet sides over the cliffs,
And howls and hollos long and loud.

But on quiet days in May or June,
When even the grasses on the dune
Play no more their reedy tune,
With his head between his paws
He lies on the sandy shores,
So quiet, so quiet, he scarcely snores.

Submitted: Sunday, February 03, 2008

Comments about this poem (The Sea by James Reeves )

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  • Dan Ryan (3/27/2013 5:38:00 AM)

    Does anyone else think there are definite undertones of childbirth and longing in this poem?

    9 person liked.
    		9 person did not like.
  • Upasena Gamage (8/12/2011 1:00:00 AM)

    The poetic techniques used by the poet is so close to us as he metopherically describe the sea to giant and grey dog that is one of our domesticated animal since ages.The dog has been so obedient to human being to protect and hunt game for us.Equally the is useful for us innumerous way since the evolution of the earth.However Sea can be so dangerous and ferocious during the inclement weather conditions bringing about a lot destruction.In the same note, The dog which is tamed and obedient the master can be ferocious to an estranger.So the compriosns made here by the poet is qiute intriguing.

    109 person liked.
    		39 person did not like.
  • Ronald Stroman (2/3/2008 1:28:00 PM)

    may your poetic possibilities continue.

    50 person liked.
    		60 person did not like.
  • Maximilian Beggel (2/3/2008 12:39:00 PM)

    This poem describes and personifies the sea in detail. First it is a hungry dog and giant and grey, but then it turns out to be peaceful 'With his head between his paws'.
    It's this contrast which makes this poem so special.

    78 person liked.
    		35 person did not like.
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