In Sylvia Plath's poem "Ariel," the speaker reflects on a sense of loss and neglect, using the metaphor of a cargo boat to symbolize a personal burden. The boat, which has been allowed to drift, represents memories or experiences that weigh heavily on the speaker. The imagery conveys a feeling of stagnation as the speaker grapples with the consequences of letting important aspects of their life fade away. Additionally, the line highlights the struggle between holding onto one's identity and the inevitability of change. The "thirty-year-old cargo boat" serves as a reminder of the passage of time and the accumulated weight of life's experiences. Ultimately, Plath's work captures the tension between permanence and transience, inviting readers to contemplate their own journeys.

I have let things slip, a thirty-year-old cargo boat

Stubbornly hanging on to my name and address.