Salt-Water Ballads

"Salt-Water Ballads" by John Masefield is a collection of poems written in the early 20th century, specifically around the time of its publication in 1913. This book captures the life and experiences of sailors, exploring themes of the sea, camaraderie, loss, and longing for freedom. With its rich maritime imagery and rhythmic language, it reflects the spirit of adventure associated with life at sea. The poems within "Salt-Water Ballads" are narratives that give voice to sailors and their stories. Each piece brings to life the challenges and perils faced by seamen, from shipwrecks and fever on board to the joys of sailing and the call of the sea. Through a variety of characters and scenarios—including shipwreck survivors, the camaraderie among crew members, and the reflections on life and death at sea—Masefield evokes a vivid picture of the maritime world. The collection showcases not only the hardships of sailor life but also a profound love for the ocean, painting an intimate portrait of those who navigate its waves. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Edward Masefield was an English poet and writer, and Poet Laureate from 1930 until his death in 1967. Among his best known works are the children's novels The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights, and the poems "The Everlasting Mercy" and "Sea-Fever".