"Crossing the Bar" is a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson that was published in his 1889 collection "Demeter and Other Poems." The poem is a reflection on death and the passage from life to the afterlife, and it has become one of Tennyson's most famous works.
The poem begins with the line "Sunset and evening star, / And one clear call for me!" This creates a sense of peacefulness and serenity, as the speaker is welcomed into the next life by the setting sun and the evening star. The use of the word "clear" suggests that the transition from life to death is straightforward and uncomplicated.
The next stanza introduces the image of the bar, which serves as a metaphor for the divide between life and death. The speaker says, "And may there be no moaning of the bar, / When I put out to sea." The use of the word "moaning" suggests that the speaker is worried about the difficulties of crossing this divide, and the phrase "put out to sea" implies that death is a journey into the unknown.
The final stanza of the poem is filled with imagery of light and darkness, as the speaker reflects on the end of their earthly life. They say, "But such a tide as moving seems asleep, / Too full for sound and foam, / When that which drew from out the boundless deep / Turns again home." The tide represents the passage of time, and the phrase "too full for sound and foam" suggests that the speaker's life has been full and rich, despite the fact that it is now coming to an end.
In the final lines of the poem, the speaker expresses hope for the afterlife, saying "Twilight and evening bell, / And after that the dark! / And may there be no sadness of farewell, / When I embark." The use of the word "dark" suggests that the speaker is fearful of the unknown, but the phrase "no sadness of farewell" indicates that they are at peace with their death and are ready to move on.
Overall, "Crossing the Bar" is a poignant and thoughtful reflection on death and the passage from life to the afterlife. Through the use of vivid imagery and a gentle, soothing tone, Tennyson creates a sense of calm and acceptance as the speaker contemplates their own mortality.