The shadows of the ships

Rock on the crest

In the low blue lustre

Of the tardy and the soft inrolling tide.


A long brown bar at the dip of the sky

Puts an arm of sand in the span of salt.


The lucid and endless wrinkles

Draw in, lapse and withdraw.

Wavelets crumble and white spent bubbles

Wash on the floor of the beach.


Rocking on the crest

In the low blue lustre

Are the shadows of the ships.

Review Questions


1. Identify an example of personification: explain what is being personified.


2. Identify an example of hyperbole: explain how it is exaggerated.


3. Identify an example of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared.


4. Find two separate examples of alliteration. List the alliterative words.


5. How is imagery used in this poem? What is described?


6. What is the mood of this poem? How does it make you feel?