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It’s been a long time since I’ve read Hawthorne, and though I don’t recall his style specifically, I do remember enjoying his works. I was in the mood today to honor another Massachusetts poet, and I thought of Hawthorne. I grew up knowing all about him since he was born in Salem, MA. I selected this poem because I lived in Salem, by the ocean, and I imagine that he is writing about the same ocean I would listen to when I went to sleep each night.
“The Ocean”
by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)
The Ocean has its silent caves,
Deep, quiet and alone;
Though there be fury on the waves,
Beneath them there is none.
The awful spirits of the deep
Hold their communion there;
And there are those for whom we weep,
The young, the bright, the fair.
Calmly the wearied seamen rest
Beneath their own blue sea.
The ocean solitudes are blest,
For there is purity.
The earth has guilt, the earth has care,
Unquiet are its graves;
But peaceful sleep is ever there,
Beneath the dark blue waves.
Such a beautiful poem – thanks for posting it.
Thanks! I just feel some kind of affinity to Hawthorne and I have no idea why. I wouldn’t even list him as one of my favorites. Maybe it was the trip to the House of Seven Gables when I was a kid, going through the house he grew up in and seeing how small the beds were and the ceilings were low, the staircase was narrow. There were secret passages if I remember. I’ve always been drawn to Salem, and he’s a part of that, as is the witchcraft ;)
I went to Salem on my trip through the States, and had my cards read when I was there. That is a blog post in itself!! It’s a mystical place.
My friend did a tarot reading for one of my characters once, it was a serious trip, unbelievable. I included it in the novel but took it out later. That was years ago and I can’t find it.
That’s too bad….that would be so interesting!! Do you remember any of it?
Oh yeah I remember a lot, I just don’t know if I made up the secret passageways in my imagination as a kid lol
I love N. Hawthorne!
Awesome :)
I like this!!!! I like the way it made me feel scared of the ocean in the first verse..and then it’s like a 180 degree turn when he placates my fear of the deep blue. Makes me think of life..and us as humans…the dark and light…
Yes one thing I remember about Hawthorne is his sensitivity to the human spirit and the acknowledgement of injustices.