Seared bone-white by the glare of summer weather,
Cast side-long, on the barren beach she lies,
She who once brought the earth’s far ends together
And ransacked East and West for merchandise.
The sea-gulls cluster on her after-deck
Resting from the near seas that wash and fall . . .
But, I have heard, at night this side-cast wreck
(When all the belfry bells at midnight call)
Puts up sail and goes out past mortal seeing:
Once more the oceans break beneath her will
And she resumes the breath of her old being;
She lives the dreams that slumber in her still.
Thrilling as down the windy Dark she slopes,
Ecstatic, as her sails grow great with wind —
She feels the seamen walking with her ropes,
The harbour dropping like a star behind.
(Harry Kemp)
More Poetry from Harry Kemp:
Harry Kemp Poems based on Topics: Night, Dreams, Summer, Weather, Lies & Deceit- 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, Dreams Poems, Summer Poems, Lies & Deceit Poems, Weather PoemsBased on Keywords: ransacked, side-long, bone-white