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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE COCOA-TREE, by CHARLES WARREN STODDARD First Line: Cast on the water by a careless hand Last Line: Beckoning the tardy ships, the ships that never come! | |||
CAST on the water by a careless hand, Day after day the winds persuaded me: Onward I drifted till a coral tree Stayed me among its branches, where the sand Gathered about me, and I slowly grew, Fed by the constant sun and the inconstant dew. The sea-birds build their nests against my root, And eye my slender body's horny case. Widowed within this solitary place Into the thankless sea I cast my fruit; Joyless I thrive, for no man may partake Of all the store I bear and harvest for his sake. No more I heed the kisses of the morn; The harsh winds rob me of the life they gave; I watch my tattered shadow in the wave, And hourly droop and nod my crest forlorn, While all my fibres stiffen and grow numb Beckoning the tardy ships, the ships that never come! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TAMALPAIS, SELECTION by CHARLES WARREN STODDARD THE BELLS OF SAN GABRIEL by CHARLES WARREN STODDARD THE ROYAL MUMMY TO BOHEMIA by CHARLES WARREN STODDARD TO GEORGE STERLING by CHARLES WARREN STODDARD WIND AND WAVE by CHARLES WARREN STODDARD BY THE POTOMAC by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH TO JOHN DONNE (1) by BEN JONSON SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. BENJAMIN PANTIER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS ODES II, 14 by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS DERELICT; A REMINISCENCE OF R.L.S.'S TREASURE ISLAND by YOUNG EWING ALLISON |
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