A TINY speck in the evening sky Nearer drawing across the main, She cleaves the path that the swallows fly Flecked by the sunset's crimson stain, Homeward winging in graceful flight As her feathered kin to the shore at night. Nearer, and out from the glory far Her song comes floating down the steep, As tho' she sang to each watching star A last good-night ere she sank to sleep, Whilst from the shadows pearly grey The horned moon shimmers across the bay. The great ships know of her vigil keen, Watching, watching the deeps below, Where a grim, grey death by them unseen May wait to launch her bolts of woe, And sailor prayers for the heroes rise Who man the watch-towers of the skies. Dreamy and slow is the song she sings Gliding down from her airy quest, Ever lower on slanting wings As the sea-bird wheels to its rocky nest, And ocean, as tho' by her song beguiled, Takes from the mother's arms their child. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLY, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 37. TO ONE WHO WOULD 'REMAIN FRIENDS' by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE WEDDING FEAST: 2 by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH PARIS BY DAY by EDOUARD JOACHIM CORBIERE DIVINA COMMEDIA: PURGATORIO. CANTO 27. FIRE OF PURIFICATION by DANTE ALIGHIERI |