Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO THE SCHOONER CASCO, DEAR TO R.L.S., by GRACE HAZARD CONKLING Poet's Biography First Line: Has he forsaken heaven quite Last Line: To anchor in the floating moon. Subject(s): Boats | ||||||||
Has he forsaken heaven quite, Where is no sail nor any sea, And for the sake of lost delight Evaded immortality, To feel the wind that sets you free, And tempt you to a wide blue flight Where any trailing dawn may be Deep-fringed with breakers bursting white? Would he exchange all Paradise For islands arabesqued with morn, In your slim shape the magic lies, And to such honor were you born. For him shall peace grow less forlorn, Who has the sea-light in his eyes, And hears Orion's hunting-horn Cry challenge down the blazing skies? Now men forget what dawns you knew, What painted sunsets flaring far: For these calm coasts they destine you, Nor think whose Silver Ship you are. Oh leaping bow and thrilling spar And canvas bright against the blue, Your Skipper steers you for a star! Obey him as you used to do. So shall you tread again the floor Uncharted you were wont to roam, And flee in ecstasy before The squalls that fail to drive you home: Shall hear his laughter as of yore, When the cloud breaks, the green waves comb, And make his spirit glad once more With flagons of enchanted foam! But when the ocean's azure swoon Glasses some isle of memories, Steal thither softly, to maroon Your wilful master, if he please! Slip in by night behind the trees Of its star-paven deep lagoon, And drift across the Pleiades To anchor in the floating moon. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BOATS IN A FOG by ROBINSON JEFFERS WATCHING THE NEEDLEBOATS AT SAN SABBA by JAMES JOYCE POEM FOR THE SEVENTH DAY by EVE MERRIAM MISSING THE BOAT by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE BLESSING THE BOATS (AT ST. MARY'S) by LUCILLE CLIFTON VICTORY BELLS by GRACE HAZARD CONKLING |
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