The line "not waving but drowning" first appears in stanza one. Upon reading this line, it is interpreted straightforward; the dead man is not seen by others as drowning, but waving. However, this line is repeated in stanza three for the emphasis of its importance. This time it is understood that this is a lifelong "drowning". The timing of this refrain reveals that this man has suffered his whole life, yet appears perfectly fine to others, as he is “too far out” to be clearly seen. "They" only knew the dead man was suffering when he died from
The line "not waving but drowning" first appears in stanza one. Upon reading this line, it is interpreted straightforward; the dead man is not seen by others as drowning, but waving. However, this line is repeated in stanza three for the emphasis of its importance. This time it is understood that this is a lifelong "drowning". The timing of this refrain reveals that this man has suffered his whole life, yet appears perfectly fine to others, as he is “too far out” to be clearly seen. "They" only knew the dead man was suffering when he died from