Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OFF THE COURSE, by CHARLES FRANCIS RICHTER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OFF THE COURSE, by                    
First Line: Now we are left with neither sun nor star
Last Line: And there is one small chance he may be right.


Now we are left with neither sun nor star,
The compass broken, and the helmsman blind;
With only the long wake drawn out behind
To bear a witness we have sailed too far.
No matter where we are, or think we are,
Whatever coast or harbor we may find,
At any moment luck may prove unkind,
And strand us on a hidden rock or bar.
We need a navigator now no less
Than on plain course with coast or sun in sight;
For he will note the wind and watch our drift,
Where even floating weeds may launch a guess
Enough to make our idle rudder shift --
And there is one small chance he may be right.





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