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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ISLAND BORN (1), by HAROLD VINAL Poet's Biography
First Line: My mother bore me in an island town
Last Line: I wear the sea as others wear a crown!
Variant Title(s): Sea Born
Subject(s): Sea; Ocean
First Line: My mother bore me in an island town
Last Line: I wear the sea as others wear a crown!
Variant Title(s): Sea Born
Subject(s): Sea; Ocean
My mother bore me in an island town,
So I love windy water and the sight
Of luggers sailing by in thin moonlight --
I wear the sea as others wear a crown!
My mother bore me near the spinning water,
Water was the first sound upon my ears,
And near the sea her mother bore her daughter,
Close to a window looking on the weirs.
Ever a wind is moaning where I go,
I never stand at night upon a quay,
But I must strain my eyes for sails that blow,
But I must strain my ears to hear the sea.
My mother bore me in a seaport town,
I wear the sea as others wear a crown!
So I have loved the sea as other men
Have loved the way of women who were dear;
Think it not strange that I should turn again
Back to the water and a windy pier.
For men turn back to women and so I,
Turn to the sea that I have loved the best,
Back to the waves and salty spume flung high,
Back to the furious beating of her breast.
So am I stifled now by streets and trees,
That have no space for breathing; I would wear
The splendid look of ships and breathe sea air,
Vessels and schooners, I am one with these.
My mother bore me in an island town, --
I wear the sea as others wear a crown!
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