Late Ferry

The late ferry is leaving now;
I stay to watch
from the balcony, as it goes up onto
the huge dark harbour,

out beyond that narrow wood jetty;
tha palm tree tops
make a sound like touches
of the brush on a snare drum

in the windy night. Going beyond
street lights' fluorescence
over the dark water, a ceasless
activity, like chromosomes

uniting and dividing. And out beyond
the tomato stake patch
of the yachts, with their orange
lights; leaving this tuberous

small bay, for the city
across an empty dark. There, neon
redness trembles down in the water 
as if into ice, and

the longer white lights
feel nervoursly abouot in the blackness,
towards here, like hands
after the light switch.

Through thorough analysis of Robert Gray’s poem ‘Late Ferry’ we have been encouraged to articulate the many notions behind what motivates, inspires and what is ultimately derived from embarking on journeys. Readily, we become inclined to explore these concepts with the persona as Gray manipulates first person narration in very first few lines of the poem, “I watch..” ultimately giving us a sense of involvement. This particular line also initiates the perception that the persona is merely mediating upon the passing moment of the ferry leaving the “narrow wood jetty” indicating that journeys can be stagnant for the individual. One can embark on a journey without having to physically be moving. Thus we are given the underlying concept of the journey of the interior. We understand that journeys aren’t always physically demanding, but in turn can be mentally and emotionally demanding. We also recognise this through the enjambment between the lines. Through this, Gray issues a concept of constant motion and a rhythmic flow of a journey. Ultimately, we are presented with an idea that journeys require constant movement. However, this does not necessarily incline physical movement whereby Gray describes movement of the imagination instead. Our mind is constantly evolving even if we are still. Henceforth, Gray pervades us with the notion that journeys do not always have to be physical, but can be emotional also.

The persona is embarking on a journey emotionally exploring the transition from childhood to adulthood. The imagery of the ferry leaving the jetty out into the harbour emphasises on the idea of breaking away from home and voyaging out into the real world in hope of the persona realising their potential. Furthermore, we have also been issued with pervading images of a huge dark harbour inclining his readers to feel a sense of uncertainty and fear. Thus, through his use of adjectives we are ultimately positioned to recognise the smallness and frailty of the ferry in the midst of the enormity of the night and harbour emphasising this idea of journeys going beyond what is safe. We learn that sometimes journeys lead us to unexpected detours which cross our boundaries and defeat our limitations. But it is through those experiences we truly grow as a person. For the persona this is evident as they explore the momentary nature of time and how it passes so quickly as they watch the ferry leave, thus contemplating on their own life and how they too must pursue the next step in their life in order to grow. This is then further accentuated through Gray’s use of extended metaphor of the ferry ride as he initiates the idea of crossing the harbour as a recognition of spiritual inner growth. Thus we grasp the idea that journeys lead to inevitable change, as through journeys we discover ourselves and the world around us.