Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I'm the old man of the sea - I Last Line: I'm the old man of the sea. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Goddesses & Gods; Mythology; Sea; Ocean | ||||||||
I'M The Old Man of the Sea -- I am! -- And this is my secret pride, That I have a hundred shapes, all sham, And a hundred names beside: They have named me "Habit," and "Way," forsooth "Capricious," and "Fancy-free"; -- But to you, O Youth, I confess the truth, -- I'm The Old Man of the Sea. I'm The Old Man of the Sea, yo-ho! So lift up a song with me, As I sit on the throne of your shoulders, alone, I'm The Old Man of the Sea. Crowned with the crown of your noblest thought, I'm The Old Man of the Sea: I reign, rule, ruin, and palter not In my pitiless tyranny: You, my lad, are my gay Sindbad, Frisking about, with me High on the perch I have always had -- I'm The Old Man of the Sea. I'm The Old Man of the Sea, yo-ho! So lift up a song with me, As I sit on the throne of your shoulders, alone, I'm The Old Man of the Sea. Tricked in the guise of your best intent, I am your failures -- all -- I am the victories you invent, And your high resolves that fall: I am the vow you are breaking now As the wassail-bowl swings free And the red guilt flushes your cheek and brow -- I'm The Old Man of the Sea. I'm The Old Man of the Sea, yo-ho! So lift up a song with me, As I sit on the throne of your shoulders, alone, I'm The Old Man of the Sea. I am your false dreams of success And your mythical future fame -- Your life-long lies, and your soul's distress And your slowly-dying shame: I'm the chattering half of your latest laugh, And your tongue's last perfidy -- Your doom, your tomb, and your epitaph . . . I'm The Old Man of the Sea. I'm The Old Man of the Sea, yo-ho! So lift up a song with me, As I sit on the throne of your shoulders, alone, I'm The Old Man of the Sea. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HALL OF OCEAN LIFE by JOHN HOLLANDER JULY FOURTH BY THE OCEAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS BOATS IN A FOG by ROBINSON JEFFERS CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE FIGUREHEAD by LEONIE ADAMS A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
|