Up the still, glistening beaches, Up the creeks we will…
““Up the still, glistening beaches, Up the creeks we will hie, Over banks of bright seaweed The ebb-tide leaves dry. We will gaze, from the sand-hills, At the white, sleeping town; At the church on the hill-side— And then come back down. Singing: "There dwells a loved one, But cruel is she! She left lonely for ever The kings of the sea. (from poem 'The Forsaken Merman')””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poem paints a nostalgic longing for a lost, idealized place, juxtaposing beauty with melancholy.
In simple terms: It describes yearning for a vanished, beautiful home.
Key Takeaway
Embrace memories while moving forward.
Themes
nostalgia
loss
beauty
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
poetic
literary
When to use this quote
- coastal walks
- family reunions
- heritage sites
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
romanticism
place attachment
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the “white, sleeping town” symbolize for you?
- How can we honor the past without being trapped by it?
A Different Perspective
The idealized past may never be reclaimed, leading to stagnation.