Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SHIPS IN HAMPTON ROADS, by GARNETT LAIDLAW ESKEW


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SHIPS IN HAMPTON ROADS, by                    
First Line: Beyond the walls of gray monroe
Last Line: But I must stay and dream at home.
Subject(s): Ships & Shipping


Beyond the walls of gray Monroe,
Beyond the battered dark sea wall,
How many dream ships pass and go
To what unnoted ports of call!
Fine craft are they
That all the day
Go down the still slow-swinging bay.

Low-lying freighters, deep and dark,
Go plodding up the soundless tide,
And here and there a graceful bark,
Her wan sails spreading high and wide,
Skims gallantly
Against the sea --
A ship of splendid dreams to me.

And toiling coasters ply and pass --
The heaving hodden bulks of trade;
A schooner; some huge galleas
That leaves behind no darkening shade
Or smoky train --
Sweeps to the main,
Laden -- who knows -- with gold of Spain.

The tart salt sea winds call, and oh,
The channel swells are white with foam! . . .
Down Hampton Roads the still ships go,
But I must stay and dream at home.





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