What Says the Sea, Little Shell
What Says the Sea, Little Shell - meaning Summary
Message Withheld by the Sea
The poem stages a dialogue among sea, shell, pines and ships to explore failed communication and moral responsibility. The sea alternately sends mournful and didactic messages—calls to grieve and to teach patience and compassion—but refrains from delivering a clear answer or reward. Repetition underscores silence and irony: nature conveys urgent counsel while human vessels and pines are portrayed as inadequate, oblivious receivers of that message.
Read Complete Analyses"What says the sea, little shell? What says the sea? Long has our brother been silent to us, Kept his message for the ships, Awkward ships, stupid ships." "The sea bids you mourn, O Pines, Sing low in the moonlight. He sends tale of the land of doom, Of place where endless falls A rain of women's tears, And men in grey robes -- Men in grey robes -- Chant the unknown pain." "What says the sea, little shell? What says the sea? Long has our brother been silent to us, Kept his message for the ships, Puny ships, silly ships." "The sea bids you teach, O Pines, Sing low in the moonlight; Teach the gold of patience, Cry gospel of gentle hands, Cry a brotherhood of hearts. The sea bids you teach, O Pines." "And where is the reward, little shell? What says the sea? Long has our brother been silent to us, Kept his message for the ships, Puny ships, silly ships." "No word says the sea, O Pines, No word says the sea. Long will your brother be silent to you, Keep his message for the ships, O puny pines, silly pines."
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