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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A SIGH OF THE SEA, by JOHN BANISTER TABB Poet's Biography
First Line: Why is it?' once the ocean asked
Last Line: "but god, whose own am I."
Alternate Author Name(s): Father Tabb
Subject(s): Sea; Ocean
First Line: Why is it?' once the ocean asked
Last Line: "but god, whose own am I."
Alternate Author Name(s): Father Tabb
Subject(s): Sea; Ocean
"Why is it?" once the Ocean asked,
As on a summer's day,
Basking beneath a cloudless sky,
In musing rest he lay,
"Why is it, that, unruffled still,
The welkin's brow I see,
While mine with racking wind and tide
Deep-furrowed oft must be?
"Her richest gems, by night displayed,
Man's filching grasp defy;
But safety for my treasures none,
Though buried deep they lie.
"The hands that from her diadem
In reverence recoil,
Are bold my depths to penetrate
And of their wealth despoil.
"A thousand ships with cruel keel
My writhing waves divide,
But mariner hath never steered
Athwart her tranquil tide.
"Why is it thus, that rest to her
And toil to me is given;
That she the blessing ever meets,
And I, the curse of Heaven?"
The Ether heard. Through all her depths
A deeper azure spread,
And to the murmuring Ocean thus,
With radiant smile, she said:
"Who cleaveth to the earth, as thou,
Ne'er knows tranquillity;
Naught pulses in my bosom wide
But God, whose own am I."
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HALL OF OCEAN LIFE by JOHN HOLLANDER
JULY FOURTH BY THE OCEAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS
BOATS IN A FOG by ROBINSON JEFFERS
CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS
THE FIGUREHEAD by LEONIE ADAMS
ANONYMOUS by JOHN BANISTER TABB