Newfoundland Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSC TUJVWXYZA2UB2 AC2D2EE2HF2G2H2I2H2J 2K2L2AHE2 M2N2O2P2Q2R2S2T2U2J2 J2V2 V2V2W2AV2J2X2V2V2Y2Z 2V2V2A3 L2A3A2J2V2A2J2V2

Here the tides flowA
And here they ebbB
Not with that dull unsinewed tread of watersC
Held under bonds to moveD
Around unpeopled shoresE
Moon driven through a timeless circuitF
Of invasion and retreatG
But with a lusty stroke of lifeH
Pounding at stubborn gatesI
That they might runJ
Within the sluices of men's heartsK
Leap under throb of pulse and nerveL
And teach the sea's strong voiceM
To learn the harmonies of new floodsN
The peal of cataractO
And the soft wash of currentsP
Against resilient banksQ
Or the broken rhythms from old chordsR
Along dark passagesS
That once were pathways of authentic firesC
-
Red is the sea kelp on the beachT
Red as the heart's bloodU
Nor is there power in tide or sunJ
To bleach its stainV
It lies there piled thickW
Above the gulch lineX
It is rooted in the joints of rocksY
It is tangled around a sparZ
It covers a broken rudderA2
It is red as the heart's bloodU
And salt as tearsB2
-
Here the winds blowA
And here they dieC2
Not with that wild exotic rageD2
That vainly sweeps untrodden shoresE
But with familiar breathE2
Holding a partnership with lifeH
Resonant with the hopes of springF2
Pungent with the airs of harvestG2
They call with the silver fifes of the seaH2
They breathe with the lungs of menI2
They are one with the tides of the seaH2
They are one with the tides of the heartJ2
They blow with the rising octaves of dawnK2
They die with the largo of duskL2
Their hands are full to the overflowA
In their right is the bread of lifeH
In their left are the waters of deathE2
-
Scattered on boomM2
And rudder and weedN2
Are tangles of shellsO2
Some with backs of crusted bronzeP2
And faces of porcelain blueQ2
Some crushed by the beach stonesR2
To chips of jadeS2
And some are spiral cleftT2
Spreading their tracery on the sandU2
In the rich veining of an agate's heartJ2
And others remain unscarredJ2
To babble of the passing of the windsV2
-
Here the cragsV2
Meet with winds and tidesV2
Not with that blind interchangeW2
Of blow for blowA
That spills the thunder of insentient seasV2
But with the mind that reads assaultJ2
In crouch and leap and the quick stealthX2
Stiffening the muscles of the wavesV2
Here they flank the harboursV2
Keeping watchY2
On thresholds altars and the fires of homeZ2
Or like mastiffsV2
Over zealousV2
Guard too wellA3
-
Tide and wind and cragL2
Sea weed and sea shellA3
And broken rudderA2
And the story is toldJ2
Of human veins and pulsesV2
Of eternal pathways of fireA2
Of dreams that survive the nightJ2
Of doors held ajar in stormsV2

E. J. Pratt



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