The Chambered Nautilus written by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1858 has been one of the most popular poems written about a sea creature. This entire poem describes how the creature moves and grows.

The poet uses metaphor to give the nautilus the characteristics of a ship; "this is the ship of pearl (that) sail the unshadowed main." The nautilus is called the ship of pearl as we known that it secretes a film of carbonate of lime, giving it a layer of lustre, which is actually pearl.

We are then given an image on how the nautilus moves, like a "venturous bark that flings ... its purpled wings." This creates an imagery of gracefulness and unhurried movement. Just then, "the Siren sings" and "its webs of living gauze no more unfurl; wrecked is the ship of pearl." I interpret this as the nautilus dying, especially since Siren is a sea...