When Christopher Columbus First sailed the western sea, He opened a new era Of times that were to be. Men sailed the broad Atlantic And studied well its bounds, Examining its inlets, Its gulfs, its bays, its sounds. Then vessels sailed its waters -- America they sought, -- The great, new land where freedom So easily was bought. Then sailors came to fill the needs Of people far from mills, And make for their home countries Great coffers and great tills. Oh, ships were lost and stranded That sailed in early days Before the sailors learned full well Her currents and wind-ways; And many, many years passed by Before the time drew nigh When up above the stormy waves Winged ships should sail the sky. And now, in flocks, they fly above, And seek new currents where The ships -- the ships of heaven -- May sail the upper air. Oh, hail the last new era So dauntless and so bold, When conquests of the conquerors Make difficulties old. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HURRAHING IN HARVEST by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS A SMUGGLER'S SONG by RUDYARD KIPLING BALLAD OF HECTOR IN HADES by EDWIN MUIR THE SAILOR BOY by ALFRED TENNYSON EVENING by ISABELLA LOCKHART ALDERMAN THE SPHINX AT MOUNT AUBURN by CHARLOTTE FISKE BATES |