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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE LIVING SEA, FR. JOY O' LIFE by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON

First Line: HOW LIKE THE CITY IS UNTO THE SEA
Last Line: UNHAILED, UNSIGNALLED AND UNSIGNALLING!
Subject(s): SEA; OCEAN;

How like the city is unto the sea:
The mighty wave of commerce breaks and beats
In restless surges through the noisy streets,
Swayed by the master tide of energy.
How many derelicts, long morn to morn,
Drift at the mercy of the wind and wave --
The flotsam and the jetsam of the pave --
Deserted, rudderless and tempest-torn.
Here move great argosies with gold and bales,
Staunch ships that dare the cunning currents' might,
And through their long procession dart the light,
Swift pleasure craft with sun-emblazoned sails.
Yet, am I minded only of one thing --
How much -- how much these smiling waters drown.
Dear God, what wrecks this very day went down,
Unhailed, unsignalled and unsignalling!



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