Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BY THE SEA, by STEPHEN PHILLIPS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BY THE SEA, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Remember, ah remember, how we walked
Last Line: Of the moon-brilliant billow to the town.


REMEMBER, ah remember, how we walked
Together on the sea-cliff! You were come
From bathing in the ocean, and the sea
Was not yet dry upon your hair: together
We walked in the wet wind till we were far
From voices, even from the thoughts of men.
Remember how on the warm beach we sat
By the old barque, and in the smell of tar;
While the full ocean on the pebbles dropped,
And in our ears the intimate low wind
Of noon, that breathing from some ancient place,
Blew on us merest sleep and pungent youth.
So deeply glad we grew that in pure joy
Closer we came; your wild and wet dark hair
Slashed in my eyes your essence and your sting.
We had no thought; we troubled not to speak;
Slowly your head fell down upon my breast,
In the soft breeze the acquiescing sun;
And the sea-bloom, the colour of calm wind,
Was on your cheek; like children then we kissed,
Innocent with the sea and pure with air;
My spirit fled into thee. The moon climbed,
The sea foamed nearer, and we two arose;
But ah, how tranquil from that deep embrace!
And with no sadness from that natural kiss:
Beautiful indolence was on our brains,
And on our limbs, as we together swayed
Between the luminous ocean and dark fields.
We two in vivid slumber without haste,
Returned; while veil on veil the heaven was bared;
And a new glory was on land and sea,
And the moist evening fallow, richly dark,
Sent up to us the odour cold of sleep,
The infinite sweet of death: so we returned,
Delaying ever, calm companions,
Peacefully slow beside the moody heave
Of the moon-brilliant billow to the town.





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