In the Harbour: Becalmed
In the Harbour: Becalmed - meaning Summary
Creative Stagnation Seeks Inspiration
Longfellow uses a seafaring metaphor to depict creative stagnation: the speaker's mind is becalmed, its sails loose and the desired shore still out of reach. The poem is a plea for inspiration, addressing a "breath" or "breath of song" to rouse the intellect and imagination, fill the mental canvas, and set the vessel moving so the hidden life and mystery of the sea (the creative impulse) can be felt and known.
Read Complete AnalysesBecalmed upon the sea of Thought, Still unattained the land it sought, My mind, with loosely-hanging sails, Lies waiting the auspicious gales. On either side, behind, before, The ocean stretches like a floor,-- A level floor of amethyst, Crowned by a golden dome of mist. Blow, breath of inspiration, blow! Shake and uplift this golden glow! And fill the canvas of the mind With wafts of thy celestial wind. Blow, breath of song! until I feel The straining sail, the lifting keel, The life of the awakening sea, Its motion and its mystery!
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