---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For I must wander On the deep sea bed…"
description: "\"“For I must wander On the deep sea bed Showering pearls on dead men Gathering shells And sweeping the shadows of passing boats With my falling hair Acr..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b05/joyce-mansour-108064_deep-sea_for-i-must-wander-on-the-deep-sea-bed-sh_5495.jpg"
---

#  For I must wander On the deep sea bed Showering pearls on…

![“For I must wander On the deep sea bed Showering pearls on dead men Gathering shells And sweeping the shadows of passing boats With my falling hair Across the sliding sands into the mouth of hell” quote by Joyce Mansour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b05/joyce-mansour-108064_deep-sea_for-i-must-wander-on-the-deep-sea-bed-sh_5495.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b05/joyce-mansour-108064_deep-sea_for-i-must-wander-on-the-deep-sea-bed-sh_5495.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b05/joyce-mansour-108064_deep-sea_for-i-must-wander-on-the-deep-sea-bed-sh_5495.jpg)

> ““For I must wander On the deep sea bed Showering pearls on dead men Gathering shells And sweeping the shadows of passing boats With my falling hair Across the sliding sands into the mouth of hell””

[Joyce Mansour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-mansour/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poet navigates darkness, seeking beauty amidst decay, confronting mortality.

**In simple terms:** Finding pearls in bleak places.

Key Takeaway

Seek meaning in darkness.

Themes

poetry existentialism beauty death journey

Mood

melancholic enigmatic inspired

Type

poetic metaphorical

When to use this quote

- nighttime walks
- artistic creation
- grief counseling

Key Concepts

symbolism metaphor nihilism

Questions to Reflect On

- What does “hell” represent here?
- How can we find hope in desolation?

A Different Perspective

The imagery may romanticize suffering.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Deep sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep-sea/) [Sands Mouth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sands-mouth-303983/) [Shells Sweeping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shells-sweeping-303982/) [Showering Pearls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/showering-pearls-303980/) [Wander Deep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wander-deep-303981/)

## Related quotes

> [“Let life be the foundation. Be brave. Wander deep inside yourself to the little room no one knows about. Fling the door wide open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-hall/let-life-be-the-foundation-be-brave-wander-deep-inside-yourself-to/)

[Christy Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christy-hall/)

> [I have daughters and I have sons./When one of them lays a hand/On my shoulder, shining fish/Turn suddenly in the deep sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bly/i-have-daughters-and-i-have-sons-when-one-of-them-lays-a-hand-on-my/)

[Robert Bly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bly/)

> [Great sea captains are made in rough waters and deep seas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-kuhlman/great-sea-captains-are-made-in-rough-waters-and-deep-seas/)

[Kathryn Kuhlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-kuhlman/)

> [The Lord Jesus is a deep sea of joy; my soul shall dive therein, shall be swallowed up in the delights of his society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-lord-jesus-is-a-deep-sea-of-joy-my-soul-shall-dive-therein-shall/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Money never seems to be interested in strengthening regulatory agencies, for example, but always in subverting them, in making them miss the danger signs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-frank/money-never-seems-to-be-interested-in-strengthening-regulatory/)

[Thomas Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-frank/)

> [Nor must Uncle Sam's Web-feet be forgotten. At all the watery margins they have been present. Not only on the deep sea, the broadbay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/nor-must-uncle-sam-s-web-feet-be-forgotten-at-all-the-watery-margins/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [Millions of our race are now supported by lands situated where deep seas once prevailed in earlier ages. In many districts not yet occupied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/millions-of-our-race-are-now-supported-by-lands-situated-where-deep/)

[Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/)

> [Nature . . . has buried truth deep in the bottom of the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/nature-has-buried-truth-deep-in-the-bottom-of-the-sea/)

[Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/)

> [I've had so many hot, cheesy, corny loves of music in my life. I had a very intense Billy Joel period. So once you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-black/i-ve-had-so-many-hot-cheesy-corny-loves-of-music-in-my-life-i-had-a/)

[Jack Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-black/)

> [Deep in the sea are riches beyond compare, But if you seek safety, it is on the shore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/deep-in-the-sea-are-riches-beyond-compare-but-if-you-seek-safety-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Joy is to fun what the deep sea is to a puddle. It’s a feeling inside that can hardly be contained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/joy-is-to-fun-what-the-deep-sea-is-to-a-puddle-it-s-a-feeling-inside/)

[Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/)

> [There is no pattern the human mind can devise that does not exist already within the bounds of nature...Everything we do, see, write, notate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-mosse/there-is-no-pattern-the-human-mind-can-devise-that-does-not-exist/)

[Kate Mosse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-mosse/)

> [It is easy to decide on what is wrong to wear to a party, such as deep-sea diving equipment or a pair of large…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-easy-to-decide-on-what-is-wrong-to-wear-to-a-party-such-as-deep/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The earth itself assures us it is a living entity. Deep below surface one can hear its slow pulse, feel its vibrant rhythm. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-waters/the-earth-itself-assures-us-it-is-a-living-entity-deep-below-surface/)

[Frank Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-waters/)

> [My familiarity with the successful use of very long steel ropes for mining purposes naturally suggested their adaptation to the new purpose of deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-agassiz/my-familiarity-with-the-successful-use-of-very-long-steel-ropes-for/)

[Alexander Agassiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-agassiz/)

## More by Joyce Mansour

> [“I saw the camel put on its shirt An leave without tears for Mecca With a thousand and one Sand sellers and Dark crowds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-mansour/i-saw-the-camel-put-on-its-shirt-an-leave-without-tears-for-mecca/)

[Joyce Mansour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-mansour/)

[Explore all 2 Joyce Mansour quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-mansour/)

## More Deep sea quotes

> [My familiarity with the successful use of very long steel ropes for mining purposes naturally suggested their adaptation to the new purpose of deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-agassiz/my-familiarity-with-the-successful-use-of-very-long-steel-ropes-for/)

[Alexander Agassiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-agassiz/)

> [The earth itself assures us it is a living entity. Deep below surface one can hear its slow pulse, feel its vibrant rhythm. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-waters/the-earth-itself-assures-us-it-is-a-living-entity-deep-below-surface/)

[Frank Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-waters/)

> [It is easy to decide on what is wrong to wear to a party, such as deep-sea diving equipment or a pair of large…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-easy-to-decide-on-what-is-wrong-to-wear-to-a-party-such-as-deep/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [There is no pattern the human mind can devise that does not exist already within the bounds of nature...Everything we do, see, write, notate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-mosse/there-is-no-pattern-the-human-mind-can-devise-that-does-not-exist/)

[Kate Mosse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-mosse/)

> [Joy is to fun what the deep sea is to a puddle. It’s a feeling inside that can hardly be contained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/joy-is-to-fun-what-the-deep-sea-is-to-a-puddle-it-s-a-feeling-inside/)

[Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/)

> [Deep in the sea are riches beyond compare, But if you seek safety, it is on the shore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/deep-in-the-sea-are-riches-beyond-compare-but-if-you-seek-safety-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I've had so many hot, cheesy, corny loves of music in my life. I had a very intense Billy Joel period. So once you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-black/i-ve-had-so-many-hot-cheesy-corny-loves-of-music-in-my-life-i-had-a/)

[Jack Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-black/)

> [Nature . . . has buried truth deep in the bottom of the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/nature-has-buried-truth-deep-in-the-bottom-of-the-sea/)

[Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/)

> [Millions of our race are now supported by lands situated where deep seas once prevailed in earlier ages. In many districts not yet occupied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/millions-of-our-race-are-now-supported-by-lands-situated-where-deep/)

[Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/)

> [Nor must Uncle Sam's Web-feet be forgotten. At all the watery margins they have been present. Not only on the deep sea, the broadbay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/nor-must-uncle-sam-s-web-feet-be-forgotten-at-all-the-watery-margins/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [Money never seems to be interested in strengthening regulatory agencies, for example, but always in subverting them, in making them miss the danger signs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-frank/money-never-seems-to-be-interested-in-strengthening-regulatory/)

[Thomas Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-frank/)

> [The Lord Jesus is a deep sea of joy; my soul shall dive therein, shall be swallowed up in the delights of his society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-lord-jesus-is-a-deep-sea-of-joy-my-soul-shall-dive-therein-shall/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Great sea captains are made in rough waters and deep seas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-kuhlman/great-sea-captains-are-made-in-rough-waters-and-deep-seas/)

[Kathryn Kuhlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-kuhlman/)

> [I have daughters and I have sons./When one of them lays a hand/On my shoulder, shining fish/Turn suddenly in the deep sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bly/i-have-daughters-and-i-have-sons-when-one-of-them-lays-a-hand-on-my/)

[Robert Bly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bly/)

> [I don't need emotions to open your deep sea, I can see the ocean by going between legs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wale/i-don-t-need-emotions-to-open-your-deep-sea-i-can-see-the-ocean-by/)

[Wale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wale/)

[Browse all 60 Deep sea quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep-sea/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“For I must wander On the deep sea bed Showering pearls on dead men Gathering shells And sweeping the shadows of passing boats With my falling hair Across the sliding sands into the mouth of hell”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Joyce Mansour"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-mansour/for-i-must-wander-on-the-deep-sea-bed-showering-pearls-on-dead-men/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Deep sea"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-mansour/for-i-must-wander-on-the-deep-sea-bed-showering-pearls-on-dead-men/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b05/joyce-mansour-108064_deep-sea_for-i-must-wander-on-the-deep-sea-bed-sh_5495.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b05/joyce-mansour-108064_deep-sea_for-i-must-wander-on-the-deep-sea-bed-sh_5495.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b05/joyce-mansour-108064_deep-sea_for-i-must-wander-on-the-deep-sea-bed-sh_5495.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“For I must wander On the deep sea bed Showering pearls on dead men Gathering shells And sweeping the shadows…” — Joyce Mansour",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Joyce Mansour",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-mansour/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“For I must wander On the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-mansour/for-i-must-wander-on-the-deep-sea-bed-showering-pearls-on-dead-men/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-mansour/for-i-must-wander-on-the-deep-sea-bed-showering-pearls-on-dead-men/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
