Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE MARSH by JOHN BANISTER TABB

First Line: THE WOODS HAVE VOICES, AND THE SEA
Last Line: TILL TO THY BOSOM THEY RETURN.
Subject(s): SEA; OCEAN;

The woods have voices, and the sea
Her choral-song and threnody;
But thou alike to sun and rain
Dost mute and motionless remain.
As pilgrims to the shrine of sleep,
Through all thy solemn spaces creep
The tides -- a moment on thy breast
To pause in sacramental rest;
Then, flooded with the mystery,
To sink reluctant to the sea,
In landward loneliness to yearn
Till to thy bosom they return.



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