15+ Significant Poems about Sailing

(15 to start, 20+ to explore)

Poems about sailing delve into the multifaceted nature of sailing, depicting it as both a physical journey and a metaphorical voyage through life’s trials and triumphs.

Expand analysis

They speak to the elemental pull of the serene sea, the thrill of navigating unpredictable waters, the adventure of braving nature’s fury, and the camaraderie forged among sailors amidst challenges. Sailing, as a human experience, offers a profound sense of liberation, sublimity, and exhilaration, along with harshness, solitude, and dangers. The poems employ nautical elements like winds, tides, stars, sails, etc., to paint an evocative picture of the sea life and metaphorically reflect on the ebb and flow of life’s journey.

The poems often employ sailing as a metaphor to explore broader themes of the journey of life, death, and transcendence, reminding readers to navigate life’s uncertainties with courage and determination, guided by the compass of their dreams.

Yet, sailing’s legacy is also fraught with the complexities of exploitation and domination. The poems also reveal the historic role of sailing. Historically, sailing has played a pivotal role in shaping global trade and facilitating exploration, conquest, and colonial expansion.

Poems about Sailing Visual Representation

Poem Explorer Poetry Archives

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Fathers and Daughters

Forms:

Genre:

"> 94/100

The Wreck of the Hesperus

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

‘The Wreck of the Hesperus’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a narrative poem about a shipwreck and human vanity.

This poem traces the perilous sailing journey of a sailor father and daughter. The sailor is good at his job but doesn't listen to nature or respect his crew. His arrogance ultimately leads them into a hurricane, where everyone dies, underlining the significance of wise leadership in sailing. The poem is inspired by real shipwrecking events, such as the great blizzard of 1839 on the northeast coast of the US and the destruction of a ship called 'Favorite' at Norman's Woe, which had the dead body of a woman tied to its mast like the daughter in the poem.

It was the schooner Hesperus,

That sailed the wintry sea;

And the skipper had taken his little daughtèr,

To bear him company.

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 90/100

The Island

by A. A. Milne

A. A. Milne’s ‘The Island’ presents the speaker’s desire to land on a distant island, from where he overlooks the sea like a king.

This poem taps into the classic emotions associated with sailing: the fascination with the vast expanse of oceans, the dreamlike adventure of discovering unknown lands and ruling them, and the desire to escape from the mundane routine of daily existence and known lands to experience the beauty and secrets of nature. The speaker's longing for sailing through the Eastern seas emphasizes the charm of exploration and discovery. Sailing represents the opportunity to discover unknown possibilities beyond the horizon, opening new avenues and prospects to grow and rule.

If I had a ship,

I’d sail my ship,

I’d sail my ship

Through Eastern seas

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Theme:

Emotion:

Topics:

Form:

"> 88/100

Columbus

by Joaquin Miller

‘Columbus’ by Joaquin Miller narrates the moments in Columbus’ voyage to the new world, focusing on the crew’s hardship.

The poem presents Columbus's voyage to the New World, a significant sailing discovery that had a transformative impact on modern history. It shaped the world as we know it; as the poem states, 'It grew to be Time's burst of dawn.' 'Columbus' captures the sailing experience with nuances like the pressure on the admiral as the ship navigates the dangerous depths of the ocean, evoking fear and a sense of being stranded. Metaphorically, the refrain 'Sail on!' reflects the resilience required for sailing while inspiring the readers to keep going despite hardships.

Behind him lay the gray Azores,

Behind the Gates of Hercules;

Before him not the ghost of shores,

Before him only shoreless seas.

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Genre:

"> 85/100

The Seafarer, Translated

by Ezra Pound

‘The Seafarer,’ translated by Ezra Pound, is an Anglo-Saxon poem in which the speaker discusses earthly and spiritual life on the sea.

The poem presents a first-person narration of the solitary life of a seafarer during the early Middle Ages, offering a nuanced portrayal of sailing experience with tumultuous storms and moments of tranquil beauty within the vast sea. It captures how sailing has impacted the life and thoughts of an aging seafarer as he meditates on the transience of life, the harshness of the natural world, and spiritual fulfillment. Sailing offers adventure, exploration, freedom, and thrill but entails loneliness, hardship, and constant struggle.

May I for my own self song’s truth reckon,

Journey’s jargon, how I in harsh days

Hardship endured oft.

Bitter breast-cares have I abided,

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 80/100

Sea Fever

by John Masefield

‘Sea Fever’ by John Masefield depicts the speaker’s passion for the sea and longing for a sailor’s adventurous lifestyle.

Sailing is at the heart of the speaker’s longing. He does not just want to stand by the shore and look at the ocean—he wants to be out on the water, feeling the ship move with the waves. He describes the experience in detail, from steering the ship to listening to the wind. Sailing gives him a sense of purpose, adventure, and connection to the world around him.

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

"> 74/100

The Hesperides

by Alfred Lord Tennyson

In ‘The Hesperides’ by Alfred Lord Tennyson, the poem embarks on a mystical voyage with Zidonian Hanno.

This poem explores the topic of sailing as the central theme of the poem. Zidonian Hanno's maritime journey symbolizes exploration and adventure. The poem vividly portrays his voyage beyond the familiar, navigating through calm bays and coastal landscapes. This theme of sailing is not just a physical journey but also a metaphor for the human spirit's quest to venture into uncharted territories, reflecting the allure of the unknown.

The North-wind fall'n, in the new starréd night

Zidonian Hanno, voyaging beyond

The hoary promontory of Soloë

Past Thymiaterion, in calméd bays

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

"> 72/100

Crossing the Bar

by Alfred Lord Tennyson

‘Crossing the Bar’ by Alfred Lord Tennyson presents the journey from life into death as if calmly advancing into a new phase.

Sailing is the poem's central metaphor for the journey of life and death. Tennyson employs calm nautical imagery like sea foam, tides, the sea's boundless depth, and moaning sandbars, i.e., the bar at a harbor entrance, to represent the threshold between life and the afterlife. It continues the sailing motifs by referring to passing from life as embarking, stating, 'And may there be no sadness of farewell,/ When I embark.'

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

PDF Guide

"> 68/100

On the Sea

by John Keats

‘On the Sea’ by John Keats portrays the sea as an enigmatic force capable of lifting spirits and easing mental anguish.

The sonnet, written when Keats was on holiday at the Isle of Wight in 1817, paints a serene picture of the sea, illustrating what it offers. Underscoring the beauty of sailing, it accentuates the calmness of the ocean, stating, 'Often 'tis in such gentle temper found.' The speaker suggests sailing to the sea is the perfect escape from the exhaustion of mundane everyday life on the land.

It keeps eternal whisperings around

Desolate shores, and with its mighty swell

Gluts twice ten thousand Caverns, till the spell

Of Hecate leaves them their old shadowy sound.

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

"> 68/100

Watching for Dolphins

by David Constantine

David Constantine’s ‘Watching for Dolphins’ presents urbanites seeking spirituality in nature, symbolized by their quest to spot dolphins.

Sailing enables passengers' quest for meaning beyond the confines of the city. The journey into the vast sea represents a departure from the urban landscape in search of transcendence and connection with nature. However, the eventual return to the city mirrors the bleak reality awaiting them. Additionally, sailing evokes a sense of adventure and exploration, emphasizing the human longing for new experiences and connection with nature.

In the summer months on every crossing to Piraeus

One noticed that certain passengers soon rose

From seats in the packed saloon and with serious

Looks and no acknowledgement of a common purpose

#10

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 66/100

The Imaginary Iceberg

by Elizabeth Bishop

‘The Imaginary Iceberg’ plays with notions of reality, fantasy, and beauty by describing the grandeur of the titular iceberg.

Although the ship features in the poem, its importance diminishes beside the grandeur of the iceberg. Sailing symbolizes human endeavor, exploration, and movement, but the poem favors stasis over travel. The iceberg remains, unmoved and majestic, as the ship passes on.

We'd rather have the iceberg than the ship,

although it meant the end of travel.

Although it stood stock-still like cloudy rock

and all the sea were moving marble.

#11

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Getting Back Together

Form:

Genre:

"> 66/100

Wild nights – Wild nights!

by Emily Dickinson

‘Wild nights – Wild nights!’ by Emily Dickinson is a multi-faceted poem. It explores an ambiguous relationship that could be religious or sexual.

From rowing, compass, chart, sea, mooring, and port, the poem is replete with the imagery associated with sailing. The speaker is the sailor sailing toward the port, i.e., the beloved developing the dynamic of solitary wanderer moving towards the refuge and safety of the harbor like beloved. After being done with the sailing equipment like a compass and chart, the sailor anticipates 'mooring' into the beloved, connoting sexual union.

Wild nights - Wild nights!

Were I with thee

Wild nights should be

Our luxury!

#12

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

"> 65/100

City of Ships

by Walt Whitman

‘City of Ships’ by Walt Whitman praises the city of New York giving specific focus and awe to its crowded harbors.

What makes this poem by Walt Whitman about New York different from many of his others is its focus on the harbors and bodies of water that surround the different boroughs of the city. In doing so, the poet steers focus away from the commonly visited vistas of its imposing buildings toward its many blue bays.

City of ships!

(O the black ships! O the fierce ships!

O the beautiful sharp-bow'd steam-ships and sail-ships!)

City of the world! (for all races are here,

#13

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 65/100

Landfall, Grenada

by Derek Walcott

‘Landfall, Grenada’ serves as an elegy for a dead mariner. The poet praises his friend’s stoic attitude, even in the face of death.

The man who is being discussed in the poem was a sailor who worked on ships. The poet discusses the man's attitude to sailing. He did not have any great love for the ocean but, instead, saw it just as a place to work. The poet goes on to discuss the practical and detached way that the man approached it. This is used as a way to demonstrate the man's character.

Where you are rigidly anchored,

the groundswell of blue foothills, the blown canes

surging to cumuli cannot be heard;

like the slow, seamless ocean,

#14

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 63/100

The Castaway

by William Cowper

In ‘The Castaway,’ William Cowper turns a sailor’s tragic struggle against stormy seas into a haunting meditation on abandonment, isolation, and the battle between hope and despair.

This poem relates to sailing through the description of the sailor's journey at sea. It shows the camaraderie among sailors, their bond with the ship, and the dangers of the ocean. Sailing becomes a metaphor for life itself, highlighting the unexpected storms, the heartbreak of loss, and the harsh realities we must all navigate.

Obscurest night involv'd the sky,

Th' Atlantic billows roar'd,

When such a destin'd wretch as I,

Wash'd headlong from on board,

#15

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

"> 61/100

The Building of the Ship

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

‘The Building of the Ship’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow encapsulates the nation’s resilience and unity amid adversity, sailing onward with courage.

This poem delves into the topic of sailing through its narrative of constructing a vessel destined for the sea. The poem vividly describes the ship's preparation, emphasizing its strength and readiness to navigate the tumultuous waters. Sailing becomes a metaphor for embarking on life's journey, with the ship symbolizing resilience and determination in facing challenges and embracing the unknown expanse ahead.

"Build me straight, O worthy Master!

Stanch and strong, a goodly vessel,

That shall laugh at all disaster,

And with wave and whirlwind wrestle!"

Home » Collection » Poems about Sailing

15+ Significant Poems about Sailing

(15 to start, 20+ to explore)

General

Poetry+

Discover

Useful Links

15+ Significant Poems about Sailing

(15 to start, 20+ to explore)

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

by A. A. Milne

by Joaquin Miller

by Ezra Pound

by John Masefield

by Alfred Lord Tennyson

by Alfred Lord Tennyson

by John Keats

by David Constantine

by Elizabeth Bishop

by Emily Dickinson

by Walt Whitman

by Derek Walcott

by William Cowper

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Narrow Your Search

We Look Deep into Poetry

General

Poetry+

Discover

Useful Links