* Ambiguous Subject: The poem doesn't explicitly state a romantic love story. It uses the metaphor of a beach at dusk, with the sea personified as a lover, to express longing and a yearning for something unattainable.
* Focus on Loss and Nostalgia: The poem's central theme revolves around the speaker's memory of a lost love or a fading past. The imagery of the fading light and the receding tide symbolize the transience of beauty and the passing of time.
* Personal and Philosophical: While the poem uses romantic imagery, it ultimately explores larger themes of beauty, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that is constantly changing. The speaker's emotions transcend the boundaries of a typical love poem.
In conclusion, while "Dove Beach" uses elements of romantic imagery, its broader focus on nostalgia, loss, and the fleeting nature of life makes it more of a philosophical poem than a traditional love poem.