How does the poet feel about the empty shore?

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.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. He loves it, but is glad that the sea returns.

  1. Step 1: The last stanza says 'I, who love the empty shore'. Step 2. He is 'glad to know that it will come', meaning he welcomes the tide. Answer: He loves it, but is glad that the sea returns. Why not the others: He is frightened of the empty beach.: He says he loves it. He wishes the sea would never come back.: He is 'glad to know that it will come'. He is bored by the empty shore and wants to go home.: Nothing suggests boredom.

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