A Love By The Sea Poem by William Ernest Henley

A Love By The Sea

Rating: 3.0


Out of the starless night that covers me,
(O tribulation of the wind that rolls!)
Black as the cloud of some tremendous spell,
The susurration of the sighing sea
Sounds like the sobbing whisper of two souls
That tremble in a passion of farewell.

To the desires that trebled life in me,
(O melancholy of the wind that rolls!)
The dreams that seemed the future to foretell,
The hopes that mounted herward like the sea,
To all the sweet things sent on happy souls,
I cannot choose but bid a mute farewell.

And to the girl who was so much to me
(O lamentation of this wind that rolls!)
Since I may not the life of her compel,
Out of the night, beside the sounding sea,
Full of the love that might have blent our souls,
A sad, a last, a long, supreme farewell.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
John Richter 27 May 2015

I believe these are meant as dying words - of a man at sea facing a storm that will be sure to kill him. I agree it's beautifully written, but wouldn't quite call it a 'recipe for life.' He is about to die. He is lamenting over his life, the desires that have always driven him. He bids a 'mute farewell' to all people and things in his life, as he will die without them knowing it, or possibly without remembering him. How awesome is that realization? Most of the people in our lives are nothing but memories, our future death will mean nothing to them, even if they do remember our name. And his dying breath is saved for his one and only love, whom he was never able to capture as a lover.... Awesome.

8 2 Reply
Susan Williams 26 July 2016

The susurration of the sighing sea Sounds like the sobbing whisper of two souls That tremble in a passion of farewell.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Has there ever been a better use of the word susurration? ? ? ? Has there ever been a more beautiful image? ? ? ? Love this classic poet.

6 0 Reply
Ireca Sims 18 August 2012

Such a sad poem, but great expression.

5 1 Reply

Really sad but beautiful creativity.

3 1 Reply
Kebe Iwara 27 May 2015

evocative. please read mine; 'love is spherical'

2 2 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 30 September 2023

Loveliest poem about two lovers, their souls entwined, we can feel the great melancholy here.5 Stars Full for this Classic Beauty

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 30 September 2023

A very sad poem full of melancholy and in the end a saddest farewell, a last, a long and supreme farewell from the girl who was so much to him.

0 0 Reply
Ruta Mohapatra 10 December 2021

Tender and touching!

0 0 Reply
Rose Marie Juan-austin 09 December 2021

Deeply poignant and touching poem embellished with superb imagery. Timeless.

0 0 Reply
Chinedu Dike 09 December 2021

Nicely expressed thoughts and feelings. An insightful piece of poetry....

0 0 Reply
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