Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SUNRISE ON THE COAST, by ANDREW BARTON PATERSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SUNRISE ON THE COAST, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Grey dawn on the sand hills - the night wind has drifted
Last Line: Behold, 'tis that marvel, the birth of a day!
Alternate Author Name(s): Paterson, 'banjo'
Subject(s): Dawn; Sea; Sunrise; Ocean


Grey dawn on the sand-hills -- the night wind has drifted
All night from the rollers a scent of the sea;
With the dawn the grey fog his battalions has lifted,
At the call of the morning they scatter and flee.

Like mariners calling the roll of their number
The sea-fowl put out to the infinite deep.
And far overhead -- sinking softly to slumber --
Worn out by their watching the stars fall asleep.

To eastward, where rests the broad dome of the skies on
The sea-line, stirs softly the curtain of night;
And far from behind the enshrouded horizon
Comes the voice of a God saying 'Let there be light.'

And lo, there is light! Evanescent and tender,
It glows ruby-red where 'twas now ashen-grey;
And purple and scarlet and gold in its splendour --
Behold, 'tis that marvel, the birth of a day!





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