#10- "Crossing the Bar"

In this poem, the speaker is using ocean images to represent death. I think that the choice of imagery is helpful because so many of the functions of the ocean can represent a cycle, life, and death. The boundless deep image reminds me of a vast and calm ocean and that represents heaven because it is also described as home. A person is created by God in heaven and returns to heaven(hopefully) in the end. Also, the tide represents fate. It is a beautiful image of fate and the feeling that you'll go when you go because tides are strong forces of nature, but are not as conspicuous as waves, but ever present. The sand bar represents that step from shallow water to deep water or crossing over into heaven=death. The images in this poem support the peaceful and quiet tone of this poem. The author wants to meet his Pilot(God) in a quiet and calm way, just like the ocean on a calm day.