Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ONSET; A CALIFORNIA BEACH, by JESSIE BELL RITTENHOUSE Poet's Biography First Line: The wet sands were grey-blue that afternoon Last Line: Love can defy. Alternate Author Name(s): Scollard, Clinton, Mrs. Subject(s): Birds; California; Seashore; Beach; Coast; Shore | ||||||||
The wet sands were grey-blue that afternoon We stood on the wide dune, And watched the joyous waves come racing far And farther up the bar Until, to each new vantage of the race, We must give place. The gulls, a multitude upon the sand, Seeking the friendly succor of the land, Retreated at each onset of the wave, Then moved back, imperturbable and grave, Till, in a swift accord, they took the sky With strident cry. We, on that void immensity of beach, Turned with our human longing each to each, Knowing how brief the years that one may cheat The mounting wave of time that seeks his feet; Yet, like the sea-bird winging tempests high, Love can defy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SEASHORE by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS EASTERN LONG ISLAND by MARVIN BELL THE WIND IS BLOWING WEST by JOSEPH CERAVOLO IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN by LUCILLE CLIFTON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER EMPTIES INTO THE GULF by LUCILLE CLIFTON GEOGRAPHY AS WARNING by MADELINE DEFREES POWER FAILURE by MADELINE DEFREES A NIGHTINGALE AT FRESNOY by JESSIE BELL RITTENHOUSE |
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