Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SAD VENTURES, by ANONYMOUS First Line: I stood and watched my ships go out Last Line: A crown linked to a cross Subject(s): "cross, The;crosses;crowns;faith;farewell;ships & Shipping;" Belief;creed;parting | ||||||||
I STOOD and watched my ships go out, Each, one by one, unmooring, free, What time the quiet harbor filled With flood-tide from the sea. The first that sailed, her name was Joy; She spread a smooth, white, shining sail, And eastward drove with bending spars Before the sighing gale. Another sailed, her name was Hope; No cargo in her hold she bore; Thinking to find in western lands Of merchandise a store. The next that sailed, her name was Love; She showed a red flag at her mast, -- A flag as red as blood she showed, And she sped south right fast. The last that sailed, her name was Faith; Slowly she took her passage forth, Tacked and lay to; at last she steered A straight course for the north. My gallant ships, they sailed away Over the shimmering summer sea; I stood at watch for many a day -- But one came back to me. For Joy was caught by pirate Pain; Hope ran upon a hidden reef, And Love took fire and foundered fast In whelming seas of grief. Faith came at last, storm-beat and torn -- She recompensed me all my loss; For, as a cargo safe, she brought A crown linked to a cross. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN STUDY #2 FOR B.B.L. by JUNE JORDAN WATCHING THE NEEDLEBOATS AT SAN SABBA by JAMES JOYCE SESTINA: TRAVEL NOTES by WELDON KEES TIS A LITTLE JOURNEY by ANONYMOUS |
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