Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BECALMED, by ARTHUR PETERSON



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BECALMED, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: On the equator / pauses the good ship
Last Line: Rest finding never.
Subject(s): Sailing & Sailors


1

On the equator
Pauses the good ship
In her flight southward.
Useless her broad sails.
Gone is the north-wind,
Gone is the south-wind,
Gone is the east-wind,
Gone is the west-wind.
Down from the zenith
Pour the sun's arrows.
Glassy the surface
Of the vast ocean.
Only the long swell
Of the Pacific
Rolls her to starboard,
Rolls her to larboard, --
Rest she finds never.
Even as a traveler
Lost in the desert
Scans the horizon,
Watching for succor --
So doth the good ship
Watch for the breezes,
Waiting impatient,
Longing for succor.

2

Rises before me
Then a blest vision --
Earth, the All-Mother --
And, like Antaeus,
I long for her presence.
Homesick her child rocks
Out on the salt seas.
Earth loves the earth-born.
O to lie happy,
Supine on the green grass,
Under the maples,
Dreaming and listening
To the birds singing,
As in my boyhood!
O to feel once more
Mother Earth near me!
That she might fold me
Fast in her green arms!
That I might rest there,
Clasped in her bosom!

3

Visions celestial,
Sounds beatific,
Sights of the green earth,
Chords of her music,
Meadows and bird-songs,
Mountains and forests,
Gurgling of brooklets,
Scents of the woodland,
Vales Paradisic,
Lowing of cattle,
Farewell -- ah farewell!

4

Once more behold I,
Calm-bound, the good ship;
Hear her great main-sail
Uselessly flapping;
As on the long swell
Of the Pacific
Rolls she to starboard,
Rolls she to larboard,
Rest finding never.





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