Bores Quote by J. R. R. Tolkien
“To the sea, to the sea! The white gulls are crying, The wind is blowing, and the white foam is flying. West, west away, the round sun is falling, Grey ship, grey ship, do you hear them calling, The voices of my people that have gone before me? I will leave, I will leave the woods that bore me; For our days are ending and our years failing. I will pass the wide waters lonely sailing. Long are the waves on the Last Shore falling, Sweet are the voices in the Lost Isle calling, In Eressea, in Elvenhome that no man can discover, Where the leaves fall not: land of my people forever!”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unpublished verse, likely early 20th century fantasy writing
The speaker longs for departure across the sea, reflecting on heritage, loss, and destiny.
In simple terms: A yearning to leave home and face an unknown future.
Key Takeaway
Embrace change while honoring roots.
Themes
journey
loss
heritage
destiny
nature
Mood
melancholic
hopeful
reflective
Type
poetic
mythic
When to use this quote
- leaving home
- seafaring
- spiritual quest
- cultural memory
- fantasy worldbuilding
Key Concepts
mythic longing
pilgrimage
homecoming
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “the last shore” symbolize for you?
- How do you balance nostalgia with progress?
A Different Perspective
Romanticizing departure may ignore practical dangers.
