Michael+R+John+W+poem

"More solid than any land sman’s", "his body cast in the matrix of the sea." (11) Sailors chosen by their love for the sea , he is guided by the land of "antipathy" (15)

"Passionately certain" of his special glory, (16) a "large iron anchor", Ryuji at twenty, "withstanding the corrosion of the sea", (15)

"Trailing white smoke", "Sailed straight out to sea". lost from those on the land, (92) No longer could he be seen

His only companions were Stars. His only home was the sea. (15) But soon he met Fusako, consummate incarnation of land.

To land he became attached, To sea he became detached. Under her serpentine-like influences, (7) Ryuji "perspired". (9)

The world "no longer tottled precariously beneath' his feet, now anchored in the land, (98) Thus Ryuji felt.

Once unable to take, any more of the noonday heat, (45) now he felt united, now one with the land.

Destined now for the heavens above, Ryuji fell from grace. (180) Merely a shadow of his former face,

He died, He died out of love.

Justification

Speaker: third person, "all knowing" perspective, focused on Ryuji. The perspective allows readers to observe Ryuji's thoughts and transition from the sea to land with a slight insight into his internal turmoil. Tone: similar to a dirge, the poem progresses through the life of Ryuji, epitomizing his semi-subconscious emotional struggles Structure: organized 4 line stanzas combined with a chaotic rhyme scheme, serve as a stark contrast, contributing to the theme Theme: contrast in the transitions of Ryuji from sea to land, glory to love, life to death Images: "Ryuji perspired", "more solid than any landman's", "like an anchor withstanding..." ; physical/symbolic descriptions of Ryuji



Caption: Ryuji on the shoreline of japan, ambivalent as to whether to go right or left



Caption: "Ryuji, a large iron anchor", dropped into the sea, yet embedded within the land
 * DEJ's:**

DEJ - Riowena DEJ - Jerry

Inspirational Quotes

“Stars were his only companions, and the sea.” Pg.15

“Whereas most men choose to become sailors because they like the sea, Ryuji had been guided by an antipathy to land.” Pg.15

“At twenty, he had been passionately certain: there’s just one thing I’m destined for and that’s glory; that’s right, glory!” Pg16

“Now the sea’s my home, I’ve decided that, but even I must shed a tear. As I wave boy, as I wave so sad at the harbor town where my heart was glad.” Pg. 18

“There must be a special destiny in store for me; a glittering, special-order kind no ordinary man would be permitted.” Pg.17

"i wont be sailing again for awhile. As a matter of fact....Ryuji faltered, and was silent." Pg113

"trailing white smoke, she sailed straight out to sea. Ryuji was lost from sight." Pg. 92

"the best hovered in the doorway, floating in the watering light which was pouring into the room from the sky outside, clear now and bright, and for an instant the glittering glass-bead eyes, and the gaping mouth, and the stiffened legs paddling the air, seemed to come alive." Pg 101

"In a day, all this would become Ryuji's world again." Pg75

"a large iron anchor withstanding the corrosion of the sea..... that was how he liked to imagine his hear. Someday he would have an anchor tattooed to his chest." Pg 9

"his body looked younger and more solid than any landsman's; it might have been cast in the matrix of the dea." Pg11 He died, he died out of love.