Poems by John Masefield

John Masefield, one of England's most beloved poets and writers, led a life as varied and adventurous as the verses he penned. Born on June 1, 1878, in Ledbury, Herefordshire, Masefield's early years were marked by tragedy and upheaval. He lost both his parents at a young age – his mother died shortly after giving birth to his sister, and his father passed away soon after. This early loss would later influence his writing, infusing it with themes of longing, memory, and the sea.

Raised by his aunt, Masefield was educated at King's School in Warwick. However, his formal education was cut short at the age of 13 when he was sent to train as a naval cadet aboard the HMS Conway. This experience would prove formative, igniting a lifelong passion for the sea that would permeate much of his later work. Despite his initial enthusiasm, Masefield found life at sea challenging and often lonely. He suffered from severe seasickness, a condition that would plague him throughout his nautical career.

In 1894, at the age of 16, Masefield embarked on a voyage to Chile aboard a windjammer, a journey that would later inspire some of his most famous sea poems. However, the hardships of seafaring life took their toll, and he deserted ship in New York City. For the next two years, Masefield lived a peripatetic existence in America, working a series of odd jobs including as a barkeeper, a factory worker, and even a stint in a carpet factory. These experiences provided him with a wealth of material for his future writing, exposing him to a diverse array of characters and situations that would later populate his poems and novels.

It was during this time in America that Masefield discovered his love for literature. He voraciously read works by Chaucer, Keats, and Shelley, among others, often spending his meager wages on books. This autodidactic approach to literature would serve him well in his future career as a writer.

Returning to England in 1897, Masefield began to pursue writing more seriously. He contributed to local newspapers and magazines, honing his craft and developing his distinctive voice. His first collection of poems, "Salt-Water Ballads," was published in 1902. This volume included "Sea-Fever," arguably his most famous poem, with its memorable opening lines: "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky."

Masefield's early work was characterized by its vivid depictions of life at sea, its use of colloquial language, and its focus on common people and their experiences. This marked a departure from the more ornate and formal poetry of the late Victorian era, and helped to usher in a new, more accessible style of verse for the 20th century.

In 1903, Masefield married Constance de la Cherois Crommelin, a teacher who would become a significant influence on his work. The couple had two children, and Constance's support and encouragement were instrumental in Masefield's development as a writer.

Masefield's reputation grew steadily in the early years of the 20th century. He published prolifically, producing not only poetry but also novels, short stories, and works of non-fiction. His narrative poem "The Everlasting Mercy" (1911) caused a sensation with its frank depiction of a rural rake's redemption, and cemented Masefield's position as one of the leading poets of his generation.

During World War I, Masefield served as a medical orderly in France and later worked for the British Red Cross in the Dardanelles. These experiences informed his war poetry, which was notable for its realism and lack of glorification of combat. His poem "August, 1914" is a poignant reflection on the outbreak of the war and its impact on rural England.

In the interwar years, Masefield continued to write and publish at a prodigious rate. He experimented with different forms and genres, producing everything from children's books to historical novels. His versatility as a writer was remarkable, and he enjoyed considerable commercial success as well as critical acclaim.

Masefield's crowning achievement came in 1930 when he was appointed Poet Laureate, a position he would hold until his death in 1967. As Poet Laureate, he composed verses for national occasions and royal events, but he also used his platform to champion the importance of poetry in everyday life. He established the annual King's Gold Medal for Poetry and worked tirelessly to promote literature and the arts.

Throughout his long career, Masefield remained committed to the idea of poetry as a living, breathing art form. He gave frequent public readings and lectures, and his warm, approachable demeanor endeared him to audiences across the country. He had a particular interest in encouraging young writers and was known for his generosity in mentoring aspiring poets.

Masefield's later years were marked by continued literary output and public recognition. He received numerous honors, including the Order of Merit in 1935. Despite failing health in his later years, he continued to write and publish almost until the end of his life.

John Masefield died on May 12, 1967, at the age of 88. He was cremated, and his ashes were interred in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey, a fitting tribute to a man who had done so much to shape English poetry in the 20th century.

Masefield's legacy is a complex one. While some of his work has fallen out of fashion, his best poems continue to be widely read and admired. His sea poems, in particular, remain popular and are often anthologized. His influence can be seen in the work of later poets who embraced his direct, unadorned style and his focus on ordinary people and experiences.

Moreover, Masefield's life story – from ship's boy to Poet Laureate – continues to captivate readers and scholars alike. His journey embodies a particular kind of English narrative, one of self-made success and dedication to craft. For students of literature, Masefield's work offers a fascinating window into the transition from Victorian to modern poetry, and his life provides rich material for exploring the relationship between experience and artistic creation.

In the end, John Masefield's greatest achievement may be the way he brought poetry into the lives of ordinary people. Through his accessible verse, his public readings, and his tireless advocacy for the arts, he helped to democratize poetry in the 20th century, ensuring that the music of words would continue to resonate with readers long after his own voice had fallen silent.