“What says the sea, little shell?”

“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.”

Analysis, meaning and summary of Stephen Crane's poem “What says the sea, little shell?”

2 Comments

  1. neil mechlin says:

    i think this poem is horrible. for one reason it is offensive and the other is that i hate sea shells because they cut off my left foot.

  2. ameet rai says:

    “this is one of the best poems i read”
    and I admire Stephen Crane

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