Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WHEN AS A LAD, by ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WHEN AS A LAD, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When, as a lad, at break of day
Last Line: For any save the soul's swift feet!
Subject(s): Adventure And Adventurers; Boys; Childhood Memories; Explorers; Sea Voyages; Exploring; Discovery; Discoverers


WHEN, as a lad, at break of day
I watched the fishers sail away,
My thoughts, like flocking birds, would follow
Across the curving sky's blue hollow,
And on and on—
Into the very heart of dawn!

For long I searched the world—ah, me!
I searched the sky, I searched the sea,
With much of useless grief and rueing
Those winged thoughts of mine pursuing—
So dear were they,
So lovely and so far away!

I seek them still and always must
Until my laggard heart is dust
And I am free to follow, follow,
Across the curving sky's blue hollow,
Those thoughts too fleet
For any save the soul's swift feet!





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