* Absence of Conventional Romance: The poem focuses on the death of a young man and the grief of his lover, not on the development or blossoming of a romantic relationship.
* Focus on Mortality and Loss: The core of the poem revolves around the inevitability of death and its impact on human emotions. This theme is more aligned with themes of tragedy and existentialism than traditional romance.
* Simple Language and Structure: The poem utilizes simple language and a straightforward structure, avoiding the ornate and flowery prose often associated with romantic writing.
* Melancholy Tone: The poem's tone is melancholic and somber, reflecting the profound grief of the lover. This is in contrast to the often optimistic and uplifting tone of romantic writing.
Elements that may be considered romantic:
* The Love Between the Couple: While the poem focuses on loss, it still establishes a strong sense of love between the couple, evident in the lover's deep grief.
* The Symbolic Nature of the Tides: The tides, with their cyclical rise and fall, can be interpreted as representing the ebb and flow of love and life.
Overall, "The Tides Rise, The Tides Fall" is a complex poem that explores the themes of love and loss, but it doesn't adhere to the traditional characteristics of romantic writing. It's more of a poignant meditation on life, death, and the enduring power of love.