Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE LOST ANCHOR by JOHN BANISTER TABB

First Line: AH, SWEET IT WAS TO FEEL THE STRAIN
Last Line: UNQUIET ACHES IN CANKERING REST.

Ah, sweet it was to feel the strain,
What time, unseen, the ship above
Stood steadfast to the storm that strove
To rend our kindred cords atwain!

To feel, as feel the roots that grow
In darkness, when the stately tree
Resists the tempests, that in me
High hope was planted far below!

But now, as when a mother's breast
Misses the babe, my prisoned power
Deep-yearning, heart-like, hour by hour,
Unquiet aches in cankering rest.



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