Love

In this poem, love is both itself, and also a symbol of an ideal relationship. It functions as a symbol because it can only exist in the abstract: the perfect love the poet describes can never be realized.

Star

The star symbolizes certainty. It is here used in a nautical sense, where it is the only fixed object in a changing sea – sailors can look up and use the North Star to tell where they are going. This is the image the poem calls upon to represent love.

Bark

A bark is a type of ship. It represents the journey of life, with all the uncertainties and challenges that brings. Only love can offer guidance and clarity to the sailors on this bark.

Sickle

The sickle symbolizes death. The anthropomorphized image of death, also known as the Grim Reaper, is shown carrying a sickle for the...