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Query re: Funeral Poem

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annep1 Tue 14-May-19 23:52:35

I agree with MaryEliza. It's allegorical.
It would be wrong to change it to he.
It wouldn't even sound right.
It's a beautiful poem.

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phoenix Tue 14-May-19 23:51:57

Given the circumstances, I would agree with changing the gender to "he".

The poem that was read at the late Queen Mother's funeral was changed to "she".

The important thing is that the listeners can identify with it, so for a mans funeral "he" would be more in keeping.

Bugger the supposed gender of ships, the poem is, as maryeliza54 says, allegorical.

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Namsnanny Tue 14-May-19 23:42:18

I would agree with you. That's how the poem was written and you're right ships are usually referred to as 'she'.
Perhaps the Minister hasn't really read it?
Maybe he just thinks it should be changed to he because its being recited at a mans funeral?

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maryeliza54 Tue 14-May-19 23:38:28

I’ve just read it - the Minister is wrong as you say. It’s clear from the very beginning that it’s a ship that is being used allegorically

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Riverdance Tue 14-May-19 23:25:13

Hello, just wondered if any member of the group are familiar with the poem ‘I am standing upon the seashore’ by Henry Van Dyke. My Mum has chosen this poem to be read at her Brother’s funeral in a few days time however, the Minister has said the words ‘she’ need to be replaced with ‘he’. I’m not sure if this is correct as the poem is about a ship and ships are referred to as ‘she’. Can anyone advise me please.

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