Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SUNBURNT BOYS, by JOHN CHARLES MCNEILL Poet's Biography First Line: Down on the lumbee river Last Line: Sunburnt boys! Subject(s): Boys; Swimming & Swimmers | ||||||||
Down on the Lumbee river Where the eddies ripple cool Your boat, I know, glides stealthily About some shady pool. The summer's heats have lulled asleep The fish-hawk's chattering noise, And all the swamp lies hushed about You sunburnt boys. You see the minnow's waves that rock The cradled lily leaves. From a far field some farmer's song, Singing among his sheaves, Comes mellow to you where you sit, Each man with boatman's poise, There, in the shimmering water lights, You sunburnt boys. I know your haunts: each gnarly bole That guards the waterside, Each tuft of flags and rushes where The river reptiles hide, Each dimpling nook wherein the bass His eager life employs Until he dies -- the captive of You sunburnt boys. You will not -- will you? -- soon forget When I was one of you, Nor love me less that time has borne My craft to currents new; Nor shall I ever cease to share Your hardships and your joys, Robust, rough-spoken, gentle-hearted Sunburnt boys! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NOW THE CHILDREN ARE OLD ENOUGH by ANDREW MOTION STARING AT THE PACIFIC, AND SWIMMING IN IT by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER THE SWIMMER by JOHN CROWE RANSOM STILL ON WATER by KENNETH REXROTH AWAY DOWN HOME by JOHN CHARLES MCNEILL |
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