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Poem
August 29, 1906
The Daily Morning Journal And Courier
New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut
What is this article about?
The poem 'Sea Gulls of Manhattan' by Henry Van Dyke contrasts the serene, free flight of sea gulls over the bustling New York harbor with human toil and urban confinement, symbolizing enduring natural liberty. It evokes historical scenes of British prison ships and affirms spiritual freedom amid city growth.
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Full Text
Sea Gulls of Manhattan
Toil and tumult, conflict and confusion,
Clank and clamor of the vast machine
Human hands have built for human bondage-
Yet amid it all you float serene;
Circling, soaring, sailing, swooping lightly
Down to glean your harvest from the wave,
Drifting at your ease across the harbor-
You have kept the freedom nature gave.
Even so the wildwoods of Manhattan
Saw your wheeling flocks of white and gray;
Even so you circled. sailed and floated
Round the half-moon creeping up the bay;
Even so your beaded eyes were glistening,
While you fluttered o'er the tidal rips,
Screaming with your thin and tremulous voices
Round the sullen British prison ship.
Children of the elemental mother.
Fearless floaters 'mid the double blue,
From the crowded boats that cross the ferries
Many a longing heart goes out to you.
Though the cities climb and close around us.
Something tells us that our souls are free,
While the sea gulls fly above the harbor,
While the river flows to meet the sea!
-Henry Van Dyke in Scribner's.
Toil and tumult, conflict and confusion,
Clank and clamor of the vast machine
Human hands have built for human bondage-
Yet amid it all you float serene;
Circling, soaring, sailing, swooping lightly
Down to glean your harvest from the wave,
Drifting at your ease across the harbor-
You have kept the freedom nature gave.
Even so the wildwoods of Manhattan
Saw your wheeling flocks of white and gray;
Even so you circled. sailed and floated
Round the half-moon creeping up the bay;
Even so your beaded eyes were glistening,
While you fluttered o'er the tidal rips,
Screaming with your thin and tremulous voices
Round the sullen British prison ship.
Children of the elemental mother.
Fearless floaters 'mid the double blue,
From the crowded boats that cross the ferries
Many a longing heart goes out to you.
Though the cities climb and close around us.
Something tells us that our souls are free,
While the sea gulls fly above the harbor,
While the river flows to meet the sea!
-Henry Van Dyke in Scribner's.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Pastoral
What themes does it cover?
Nature Seasons
Liberty Independence
What keywords are associated?
Sea Gulls
Manhattan
Freedom
Nature
Harbor
British Prison Ship
Urban Toil
What entities or persons were involved?
Henry Van Dyke
Poem Details
Title
Sea Gulls Of Manhattan
Author
Henry Van Dyke
Subject
Sea Gulls Symbolizing Freedom In Manhattan Harbor
Key Lines
Yet Amid It All You Float Serene;
You Have Kept The Freedom Nature Gave.
While The Sea Gulls Fly Above The Harbor,
While The River Flows To Meet The Sea!