At sea I learned the weather,
At sea I learned to know
That waves raged not forever,
Winds did not ever blow.
I learned that, ‘mid the thunder,
Was nothing might avail
But lying to and riding
The storm with scanted sail,
Knowing that calm would follow
Filled full of golden light
Though hail and thunder deafened
The watches of the night.
And, now today I’m sailing
The changing seas no more,
But tied up to a woman
And snug and safe ashore,
With pipe and ‘baccy handy
And Sal still loving me —
I tell you that I’m thankful
For things I learned at sea!
(Harry Kemp)
More Poetry from Harry Kemp:
Harry Kemp Poems based on Topics: Woman, Night, Weather- The Chantey Of The Cook (dithyramb of a discontented crew) (Harry Kemp Poems)
- The Doldrums (A Still-Life Picture) (Harry Kemp Poems)
- Good-Bye! (a chantey to be sung at the capstan) (Harry Kemp Poems)
- A Whaler's Confession (Harry Kemp Poems)
- The Remedy (Harry Kemp Poems)
- Clipper Days (a song from Snug Harbor) (Harry Kemp Poems)
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Based on Topics: Night Poems, Woman Poems, Weather PoemsBased on Keywords: baccy, scanted