On this wondrous sea
Sailing silently,
Ho! Pilot, ho!
Knowest thou the shore
Where no breakers roar –
Where the storm is o’er?
In the peaceful west
Many the sails at rest –
The anchors fast –
Thither I pilot thee –
Land Ho! Eternity!
Ashore at last!
Do you find this poem sad? I’m interpreting the “sea” as a state of permanent peace only to be found in death (“eternity” or “west”).
[ Smiles ] It is not sad for me.
Death is merely a transition to another plane of existence.
Thank you for showing your interest.
I suppose, but from everything I know about Dickinson, she wasn’t the happiest person in England. Very withdrawn. Look forward to more posts!
[ Smiles ] Thank you!
America. She was an American poet. Not England. My bad. East Coast, I believe.
[ Smiles ] It’s okay.
Yes, she was an American poet; she once lived in Massachusetts.
Seems dark, brooding English, though, no? Anyway, look forward to talking more. Off to work. Questions for tomorrow… What’s your history? Where are you from? Why the interest in poetry? (Writerly questions. Occupational hazard.)
[ Smiles ] That information is in my, “About” page.
Thank you for showing interest.
I like your overall concept. “All walks of life.” Who are you reading these days, aside from Dickinson?
[ Chuckles ] Dr. Wayne Dyer and he doesn’t fall into the category of poetry.
What does he write about?
[ Smiles ] He writes things of a philosophical and spiritual nature.
What parts of the book seem to be moving you most?
[ Smiles ] If your referring to Dr. Wayne Dyer, it is the part about learning not to be unhappy.
Struggling with that? Isn’t being unhappy a part of our being? Isn’t it better and more honest just to embrace these less desirable aspects of ourselves?
[ Smiles ] Yes, you cam embrace those so-called less desirable aspects of yourself and you can be happy about it, because you have chosen to embrace it.