ratanapan poem 3
An Ocean Musing (1997)
By Henrietta Cordelia Ray
Henrietta Cordelia Ray is an American poet from the New England region. Ray is known for her contribution to nature related poetry, as well as to sonnets in general. Written in 1997, “An Ocean Musing” is from omniscient perspective, describing the ocean’s nostalgic encounters and emotions. A speaker wistfully examines the calm ocean and its surroundings. The observation of the restful ocean serves as a rarity among other oceans; agitated, mournful, excited, etc. The speaker mentions how gazing at the ocean’s tranquility can even change one’s mood. “An Ocean Musing” incites the feeling of relaxation in the audience, causing a vision of the stereotype beach vacation that everyone automatically relates to good vibes. The contrast between the ocean’s life previously and its current state serves as a display of bringing to rest over time. The state of the ocean used to be hectic, yet the speaker tells the audience how serenity was brought to its waves, much like a reconciliation with its past.
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Far, far out lie the white sails all at rest;
Like spectral arms they seem to touch and cling
Unto the wide horizon. Not a wing
Of truant bird glides down the purpling west;
No breeze dares to intrude, e’en on a quest
To fan a lover’s brow; the waves to sing
Have quite forgotten till the deep shall fling
A bow across its vibrant chords. Then, lest
One moment of the sea’s repose we lose,
Nor furnish Fancy with a thousand themes
Of unimagined sweetness, let us gaze
On this serenity, for as we muse,
Lo! all is restless motion: life’s best dreams
Give changing moods to even halcyon days.
By Henrietta Cordelia Ray
Henrietta Cordelia Ray is an American poet from the New England region. Ray is known for her contribution to nature related poetry, as well as to sonnets in general. Written in 1997, “An Ocean Musing” is from omniscient perspective, describing the ocean’s nostalgic encounters and emotions. A speaker wistfully examines the calm ocean and its surroundings. The observation of the restful ocean serves as a rarity among other oceans; agitated, mournful, excited, etc. The speaker mentions how gazing at the ocean’s tranquility can even change one’s mood. “An Ocean Musing” incites the feeling of relaxation in the audience, causing a vision of the stereotype beach vacation that everyone automatically relates to good vibes. The contrast between the ocean’s life previously and its current state serves as a display of bringing to rest over time. The state of the ocean used to be hectic, yet the speaker tells the audience how serenity was brought to its waves, much like a reconciliation with its past.
----------------------------------------------
Far, far out lie the white sails all at rest;
Like spectral arms they seem to touch and cling
Unto the wide horizon. Not a wing
Of truant bird glides down the purpling west;
No breeze dares to intrude, e’en on a quest
To fan a lover’s brow; the waves to sing
Have quite forgotten till the deep shall fling
A bow across its vibrant chords. Then, lest
One moment of the sea’s repose we lose,
Nor furnish Fancy with a thousand themes
Of unimagined sweetness, let us gaze
On this serenity, for as we muse,
Lo! all is restless motion: life’s best dreams
Give changing moods to even halcyon days.
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