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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CHRIST IN BRITAIN: 20. SAINT COLUMBA, by THOMAS SAMUEL JONES JR.
First Line: The murmuring tide foams slowly up the sands
Last Line: The well-loved outline of his irish shore.
Subject(s): Columba, Saint (521-597); Great Britain - History; Colum, Saint; Columcille, Saint; English History
First Line: The murmuring tide foams slowly up the sands
Last Line: The well-loved outline of his irish shore.
Subject(s): Columba, Saint (521-597); Great Britain - History; Colum, Saint; Columcille, Saint; English History
The murmuring tide foams slowly up the sands,
Behind a veil of gold lost Ireland lies,
And with the sunset in his yearning eyes
Alone on Colum-kil Columba stands;
He frees the white bird from his tender hands,
Beyond a changing violet sea it flies,
A streak of mist against the burnished skies
It vanishes in far green Western lands.
The tides still whisper through the waning light,
Wings still find rest along that wave-worn place,
But he will climb the cold gray rocks no more;
And yet ye know that from a fairer height
He watches across deeps of star-filled space
The well-loved outline of his Irish shore.
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