Paul Laurence Dunbar

The Mystic Sea ~ A Poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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Why “The Mystic Sea” is Dunbar’s Most Sensory Masterpiece

Experience the salt spray and the “scimitar” sun. Discover why Paul Laurence Dunbar looked to the horizon to find the secrets of life and death.

The Mystic Sea

Paul Laurence Dunbar

The smell of the sea in my nostrils,
    The sound of the sea in mine ears;
  The touch of the spray on my burning face,
    Like the mist of reluctant tears.

  The blue of the sky above me,
    The green of the waves beneath;
  The sun flashing down on a gray-white sail
    Like a scimitar from its sheath.

  And ever the breaking billows,
    And ever the rocks’ disdain;
  And ever a thrill in mine inmost heart
    That my reason cannot explain.

  So I say to my heart, “Be silent,
    The mystery of time is here;
  Death’s way will be plain when we fathom the main,
    And the secret of life be clear.”

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Anchored in the Unknown: A Reflection on Dunbar’s “The Mystic Sea”

In “The Mystic Sea,” Paul Laurence Dunbar captures the visceral overwhelm of the ocean—a sensory deluge of salt, spray, and color that mirrors the turbulence of the human spirit. Dunbar masterfully contrasts the physical sharpness of the “scimitar” sun with the unexplainable “thrill” in his heart. The poem suggests that the sea is a bridge between the finite and the infinite. By acknowledging that reason cannot explain the ocean’s power, Dunbar encourages us to accept the “mystery of time.” It is a reminder that some truths aren’t meant to be solved by the mind, but felt by the soul.

As you read this poem, ask yourself:

When you stand before something vast—like the ocean or a starlit sky—does the “mystery” make you feel small and afraid, or deeply connected to a larger secret?

Night ~ A Poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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When Silence Opens the Sky: Discovering the Majesty Within

Sometimes the quiet of night becomes a doorway—lifting the weight of the world and revealing a deeper, eternal light waiting just beyond our thoughts.

Night

Paul Laurence Dunbar

SILENCE, and whirling worlds afar
Through all encircling skies.
What floods come o’er the spirit’s bar,
What wondrous thoughts arise.
The earth, a mantle falls away,
And, winged, we leave the sod;
Where shines in its eternal sway
The majesty of God.

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Reflection

In Dunbar’s Night, silence is not emptiness but invitation. When the noise of the day falls away, our inner world expands, and the spirit rises beyond its usual borders. The poem reminds us that there are moments when the earth seems to loosen its grip, and we glimpse something larger than ourselves—a quiet majesty that steadies the heart. In these rare spaces, awe replaces fear, and stillness becomes a teacher. Dunbar gently shows us that night is not merely darkness; it is a sanctuary where the soul remembers its connection to something eternal.

What do you feel or discover when silence finally settles around you?

The Path ~ A Poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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The Path to Greatness: Paul Laurence Dunbar’s Call to Perseverance

Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “The Path” reminds us that the climb to greatness is rugged and personal. True achievement isn’t found in ease—but in endurance.

The Path

Paul Laurence Dunbar

THERE are no beaten paths to Glory’s height,
There are no rules to compass greatness known;
Each for himself must cleave a path alone,
And press his own way forward in the fight.
Smooth is the way to ease and calm delight,
And soft the road Sloth chooseth for her own;
But he who craves the flower of life full-blown,
Must struggle up in all his armor dight!
What though the burden bear him sorely down
And crush to dust the mountain of his pride,
Oh, then, with strong heart let him still abide;
For rugged is the roadway to renown,
Nor may he hope to gain the envied crown
Till he hath thrust the looming rocks aside.

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Reflection

Dunbar’s “The Path” captures the eternal truth that greatness is not given—it’s earned through persistence, courage, and endurance. The poem speaks to anyone who has struggled uphill toward a dream, facing both resistance and self-doubt. The smooth road, Dunbar warns, leads to comfort but not fulfillment. Only by “cleaving a path alone” do we discover our inner strength. His words echo across generations, reminding us that adversity isn’t punishment—it’s the proving ground of purpose. Each stone, each setback, shapes us into who we’re meant to become.

Greatness, Dunbar teaches, is not about applause but resilience. The crown is not handed to the weary—it’s claimed by those who keep climbing.

Question for Readers:

What challenge in your life helped you discover your own strength or direction?

Keep A-Pluggin’ Away ~ A Poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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Keep A-Pluggin’ Away: Perseverance’s Quiet Power


When storms rise and paths grow steep, it’s not talent or luck that carries us through—it’s steady perseverance and the will to keep moving forward.

Keep A-Pluggin’ Away

Paul Laurence Dunbar

I’VE a humble little motto
That is homely, though it’s true, —
Keep a-pluggin’ away.
It’s a thing when I’ve an object
That I always try to do, —
Keep a-pluggin’ away.
When you’ve rising storms to quell,
When opposing waters swell,
It will never fail to tell, —
Keep a-pluggin’ away.
If the hills are high before
And the paths are hard to climb,
Keep a-pluggin’ away.
And remember that successes
Come to him who bides his time, —
Keep a-pluggin’ away.
From the greatest to the least,
None are from the rule released.
Be thou toiler, poet, priest,
Keep a-pluggin’ away.
Delve away beneath the surface,
There is treasure farther down, —
Keep a-pluggin’ away.
Let the rain come down in torrents,
Let the threat’ning heavens frown,
Keep a-pluggin’ away.
When the clouds have rolled away,
There will come a brighter day
All your labor to repay, —
Keep a-pluggin’ away.
There ‘ll be lots of sneers to swallow.
There’ll be lots of pain to bear, —
Keep a-pluggin’ away.
If you’ve got your eye on heaven,
Some bright day you’ll wake up there,
Keep a-pluggin’ away.
Perseverance still is king;
Time its sure reward will bring;
Work and wait unwearying,—
Keep a-pluggin’ away.

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Paul Laurence Dunbar’s Keep A-Pluggin’ Away is a timeless reminder that success isn’t found in sudden bursts of luck or brilliance but in the quiet, consistent steps we take forward. Life will always bring storms, steep climbs, and moments when giving up feels easier than holding on. Yet it’s in those moments, when persistence seems hardest, that true character is formed. The poem encourages us to look beyond immediate obstacles, to trust that patience and perseverance will uncover treasures hidden beneath life’s surface. With faith, effort, and endurance, brighter days inevitably follow the clouds. Dunbar’s voice is gentle but firm: don’t stop, don’t surrender—keep a-pluggin’ away.

Questions to Dive Deeper

  1. How has perseverance in your own life led to an unexpected reward or breakthrough?
  2. What practices help you keep moving forward when you feel worn down by obstacles?
  3. Where in your life right now do you most need the reminder to “keep a-pluggin’ away”?

A Golden Day ~ A Poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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A Golden Day

Paul Laurence Dunbar

I FOUND you and I lost you,
All on a gleaming day.
The day was filled with sunshine,
And the land was full of May.
A golden bird was singing
Its melody divine,
I found you and I loved you,
And all the world was mine.
I found you and I lost you,
All on a golden day,
But when I dream of you, dear,
It is always brimming May.

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