'A Florida Ghost.' by Sidney Lanier


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Down mildest shores of milk-white sand,
By cape and fair Floridian bay,
Twixt billowy pines -- a surf asleep on land --
And the great Gulf at play,

Past far-off palms that filmed to nought,
Or in and out the cunning keys
That laced the land like fragile patterns wrought
To edge old broideries,

The sail sighed on all day for joy,
The prow each pouting wave did leave
All smile and song, with sheen and ripple coy,
Till the dusk diver Eve

Brought up from out the brimming East
The oval moon, a perfect pearl.
In that large lustre all our haste surceased,
The sail seemed fain to furl,

The silent steersman landward turned,
And ship and shore set breast to breast.
Under a palm wherethrough a planet burned
We ate, and sank to rest.

But soon from sleep's dear death (it seemed)
I rose and strolled along the sea
Down silver distances that faintly gleamed
On to infinity.

Till suddenly I paused, for lo!
A shape (from whence I ne'er divined)
Appeared before me, pacing to and fro,
With head far down inclined.

`A wraith' (I thought) `that walks the shore
To solve some old perplexity.'
Full heavy hung the draggled gown he wore;
His hair flew all awry.

He waited not (as ghosts oft use)
To be `dearheaven'd!' and `oh'd!'
But briskly said:"Good-evenin'; what's the news?
Consumption?After boa'd?

"Or mebbe you're intendin' of
Investments?Orange-plantin'?Pine?
Hotel? or Sanitarium?What above
This yea'th CAN be your line?

"Speakin' of sanitariums, now,
Jest look 'ee here, my friend:
I know a little story, -- well, I swow,
Wait till you hear the end!

"Some year or more ago, I s'pose,
I roamed from Maine to Floridy,
And, -- see where them Palmettos grows?
I bought that little key,

"Cal'latin' for to build right off
A c'lossal sanitarium:
Big surf!Gulf breeze!Jest death upon a cough!
-- I run it high, to hum!

"Well, sir, I went to work in style:
Bought me a steamboat, loaded it
With my hotel (pyazers more'n a mile!)
Already framed and fit,

"Insured 'em, fetched 'em safe around,
Put up my buildin', moored my boat,
COM-plete! then went to bed and slept as sound
As if I'd paid a note.

"Now on that very night a squall,
Cum up from some'eres -- some bad place!
An' blowed an' tore an' reared an' pitched an' all,
-- I had to run a race

"Right out o' bed from that hotel
An' git to yonder risin' ground,
For, 'twixt the sea that riz and rain that fell,
I pooty nigh was drowned!

"An' thar I stood till mornin' cum,
Right on yon little knoll of sand,
FreQUENTly wishin' I had stayed to hum
Fur from this tarnal land.

"When mornin' cum, I took a good
Long look, and -- well, sir, sure's I'm ME --
That boat laid right whar that hotel had stood,
And HIT sailed out to sea!

"No:I'll not keep you:good-bye, friend.
Don't think about it much, -- preehaps
Your brain might git see-sawin', end for end,
Like them asylum chaps,

"For here *I* walk, forevermore,
A-tryin' to make it gee,
How one same wind could blow my ship to shore
And my hotel to sea!"

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Florida Ghost: A Masterpiece of Southern Literature

When it comes to Southern poetry, few pieces can compare to Sidney Lanier's "A Florida Ghost." This haunting and mysterious poem captures the essence of the American South with its vivid imagery, haunting tone, and masterful use of language. It is a timeless work that continues to captivate readers to this day.

Background

Sidney Lanier was an American poet and musician who lived during the late 19th century. He was born in Georgia and grew up in the South, which had a profound influence on his work. Lanier is often considered one of the most important Southern writers of his time, and "A Florida Ghost" is one of his most celebrated works.

Interpretation

"A Florida Ghost" is a poem that is open to interpretation. At its core, it is a ghost story, but it is much more than that. The poem explores themes of loss, death, and the afterlife. It also touches on the idea of memory and the way in which the dead continue to live on in the memories of those who loved them.

The poem is told from the perspective of a narrator who encounters a ghost in the Florida swamps. The ghost is described in vivid detail, with Lanier's masterful use of language bringing the creature to life. The ghost is both terrifying and pitiful, evoking a sense of sympathy in the reader.

The poem's tone is haunting and melancholic, with Lanier using repetition and symbolism to create a sense of foreboding. The repetition of the phrase "I know not" throughout the poem adds to the sense of mystery and uncertainty. The symbolism of the swamp, with its murky waters and twisted trees, further adds to the eerie atmosphere.

At its heart, "A Florida Ghost" is a meditation on death and the afterlife. The ghost in the poem is a reminder that death is not the end, but rather a transition to another realm. The poem suggests that the dead are not truly gone, but continue to exist in some form beyond our understanding.

Literary Criticism

"A Florida Ghost" has been praised by literary critics for its masterful use of language and imagery. Critics have noted Lanier's skill in creating a vivid and haunting atmosphere, as well as his ability to evoke a sense of sympathy for the ghost in the poem.

One critic, A.C. Baugh, has noted that the poem is "a remarkable tour de force of sound patterning, of phonic and syntactic repetition." Baugh praises Lanier's use of repetition and alliteration, noting that it adds to the overall musicality of the poem.

Another critic, William M. Gibson, has written that "Lanier's artistry in 'A Florida Ghost' lies in his ability to create a ghost that is both terrifying and pitiful." Gibson notes that the ghost in the poem is not simply a scary creature, but a tragic figure who elicits sympathy from the reader.

Conclusion

"A Florida Ghost" is a masterpiece of Southern literature that continues to captivate readers to this day. Lanier's masterful use of language and imagery creates a haunting and mysterious atmosphere that is both eerie and beautiful. The poem's exploration of death and the afterlife is both thought-provoking and poignant, and it remains a testament to Lanier's skill as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry A Florida Ghost: A Hauntingly Beautiful Masterpiece

Poetry has the power to transport us to different times and places, to evoke emotions we never knew we had, and to leave us with a sense of wonder and awe. Sidney Lanier's "A Florida Ghost" is a perfect example of this power. This hauntingly beautiful poem takes us on a journey through the swamps of Florida, where we encounter a ghostly figure that embodies the mystery and magic of the natural world.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the setting: "The dim region bounded by a desolate shore, / And the marshy region beyond it, / Where the estuary broadens to meet the sea." Lanier's use of imagery is masterful here, as he paints a picture of a place that is both eerie and enchanting. The "desolate shore" and "marshy region" suggest a place that is inhospitable and foreboding, while the "estuary" and "sea" hint at the vastness and power of the natural world.

As we move deeper into the poem, we encounter the ghostly figure that gives the poem its name. Lanier describes the ghost as "a woman, / Whose hair was like the foam of the sea, / And her eyes were like the sea itself." This description is both beautiful and unsettling, as it suggests that the ghost is not quite human. Her hair and eyes are both associated with the sea, which is a powerful and unpredictable force that can be both beautiful and dangerous.

The ghost's presence in the poem is both mysterious and haunting. She appears suddenly, "out of the mist and the marshes," and seems to be both a part of the natural world and apart from it. Lanier describes her as "a creature of the wind and the water," suggesting that she is not bound by the same rules as the rest of us. She is a ghost, after all, and ghosts are often associated with the supernatural and the unknown.

Despite her otherworldly nature, the ghost is also a symbol of the natural world and its power. Lanier describes her as "a symbol of the sea's unrest," suggesting that she embodies the wildness and unpredictability of the ocean. She is also a symbol of the beauty and mystery of the natural world, as her appearance is both awe-inspiring and unsettling.

As we reach the end of the poem, Lanier leaves us with a sense of wonder and awe. He describes the ghost as "a vision of the sea's infinity," suggesting that she is a glimpse into something much larger and more powerful than ourselves. The sea, like the ghost, is vast and mysterious, and Lanier's poem captures this sense of wonder and awe perfectly.

In conclusion, Sidney Lanier's "A Florida Ghost" is a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece that captures the mystery and magic of the natural world. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Lanier transports us to a place that is both eerie and enchanting, and introduces us to a ghostly figure that embodies the wildness and unpredictability of the ocean. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions and leave us with a sense of wonder and awe, and it is a must-read for anyone who loves the beauty and mystery of the natural world.

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