Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MOONLIGHT AT SEA, by GERTRUDE M. JOHNSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MOONLIGHT AT SEA, by                    
First Line: I linger on the deck and watch the moon
Last Line: Trace out her golden glory on the sea.
Subject(s): Moon; Sea; Ocean


I linger on the deck and watch the moon --
The full round moon shine down through mellow night
Upon the sea that in a heavy swoon
Lies all unmindful of the guardian light.
All day thou'st rolled in feverish caprice
And moaned unconscious in thine ample bed,
Thundering in rage against the vessel's side;
When lo, from out the east
A pale-faced nun with orisons all said
Comes out to watch above thy restless tide.

Thou ridest high, O Moon, above the night,
While I am wondering at thy rounded shape.
I long for fancy and a keener sight
That not one golden arrow may escape.
Thy reign is on the ocean and enchains
An inward vision of a happy past.
The waters break and ripple round the prow
Like half-forgotten strains
Of tender hopes e'er skies were overcast
With love's sad lesson that I'm learning now.

I lean against the taffrail to look up
Past spars and rigging to a cloudless sky.
Such drafts of balm and beauty do I sup,
All earthly evils I can now defy.
This boundless main is altogether fair --
And though there shines for me no sunny noon,
Content with life's sweet moonlight may I be;
I could not quite despair
If we for one night, love, might watch the moon
Trace out her golden glory on the sea.





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