Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BATTLESHIPS, by LORI PETRI


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BATTLESHIPS, by                    
First Line: They rock and ride like great grey gulls
Last Line: The black lusts of the primal slime.
Subject(s): Animals; Battleships; Bears; Navy - United States; American Navy


They rock and ride like great grey gulls
Upon the waters of the world,
Within their sullen, stately hulls
The dreams and toil of ages furled.
For men have cowed the stubborn earth,
Made sun and stars their truths reveal,
To bring to fearful, floating birth
These savages of smoking steel.
They lead the craft of life, they stream
Triumphant on the tides of time,—
While through their armored glories gleam
The black lusts of the primal slime.





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