What is the 'blanket' in the first line?
Low Tide
The sea has pulled its blanket back
and left the beach in rows of ribs,
the sand all sewn with silver tracks
where small things scuttled, small things slid.
A gull stands guard on one bent leg,
a sentry nobody has posted.
The boats lie tilted in the mud
like tired dogs that have forgotten
what they came to guard.
Out beyond the rippled flats
the water gathers its slow strength,
and I, who love the empty shore,
am glad to know that it will come.
The sea has pulled its blanket back
and left the beach in rows of ribs,
the sand all sewn with silver tracks
where small things scuttled, small things slid.
A gull stands guard on one bent leg,
a sentry nobody has posted.
The boats lie tilted in the mud
like tired dogs that have forgotten
what they came to guard.
Out beyond the rippled flats
the water gathers its slow strength,
and I, who love the empty shore,
am glad to know that it will come.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. the sea
- Step 1: The sea 'has pulled its blanket back'. Step 2. The tide has gone out, uncovering the sand, so the water is the blanket. Answer: the sea. Why not the others: the sand: The sand is what is left uncovered. the clouds: Clouds are never mentioned. the boats: The boats are described later.
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