THESE dim-lamped cabins leaning upon the gulf of oceanic night Whose gorge is hoarse with storm, whose surge with a scornful whistling washes over, Would seem the craziest cockle-shells, if the meteor gave us a moment's sight, And still unhaunted on this phantasmal abyss with life and love they hover. How now, bold mariners? what fixed star So certifies you where you are? From what magnetic surety grows This unimaginable repose? Who with his sea-hat over his eyes Defends your keels from the fanged surprise, And while your banjos and feet are playing Knows each secret the deeps are saying? Kiss then, strum then, heap the coals, With flowery cordials brim the bowls -- Since none could ever command this dark Who stared his eyes out like a shark: This we in the whirls, shrill goblins, know, Awash in fathomless dream's reflow; We mapped, logged, watched, thumbed all the rules, Ten times as wise, ten thousand fools. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ARCHITECT (1) by KAREN SWENSON SUNSET AND SUNRISE by EMILY DICKINSON THE COW IN APPLE TIME by ROBERT FROST THE SUPPLIANT by EDMUND WILLIAM GOSSE THE OLD LOBSTERMAN by JOHN TOWNSEND TROWBRIDGE CHRISTMAS, 1917 by BRENT DOW ALLINSON |