The speaker imagines human personalities as islands scattered in the sea. From our own shores, we can see and hear one another’s outward lives—people walking on the sand, bands playing, colored lights and showy pavilions. Social life is vivid, but it only happens on the beach. The poem’s real interest lies further inland, where rocks, dark forests, streams, chasms, and even a monster make up a hidden wilderness. The speaker’s feeling is wistful and a little lonely: we stand close enough to enjoy each other’s company, yet our eyes can never reach the fastnesses within. That inner landscape is private, strange, and partly frightening, but also contains sweet, unimagined flowers. The mood moves from bright seaside amusement toward something deeper, more mysterious, and quietly melancholy.
People — Summary
Like to islands in the seas, Stand our personalities-- Islands where we always face One another's watering place. When we promenade our sands We can hear each other's bands, We can see on festal nights Red and green and purple lights, Gilt pavilions in a row, Stucco houses built for show.
But our eyes can never reach Further than the foolish beach, Never can they hope to win To the fastnesses within: Rocks unsealed that watch the sky And the tormented clouds go by;-- Darkest forests full of gleams Ever-passing;--pouring streams;-- Chasms where a Monster lowers;-- Sweet and unimagined flowers.