1 On the equator Pauses the good ship In her flight southward. Useless her broad sails. Gone is the north-wind, Gone is the south-wind, Gone is the east-wind, Gone is the west-wind. Down from the zenith Pour the sun's arrows. Glassy the surface Of the vast ocean. Only the long swell Of the Pacific Rolls her to starboard, Rolls her to larboard, -- Rest she finds never. Even as a traveler Lost in the desert Scans the horizon, Watching for succor -- So doth the good ship Watch for the breezes, Waiting impatient, Longing for succor. 2 Rises before me Then a blest vision -- Earth, the All-Mother -- And, like Antaeus, I long for her presence. Homesick her child rocks Out on the salt seas. Earth loves the earth-born. O to lie happy, Supine on the green grass, Under the maples, Dreaming and listening To the birds singing, As in my boyhood! O to feel once more Mother Earth near me! That she might fold me Fast in her green arms! That I might rest there, Clasped in her bosom! 3 Visions celestial, Sounds beatific, Sights of the green earth, Chords of her music, Meadows and bird-songs, Mountains and forests, Gurgling of brooklets, Scents of the woodland, Vales Paradisic, Lowing of cattle, Farewell -- ah farewell! 4 Once more behold I, Calm-bound, the good ship; Hear her great main-sail Uselessly flapping; As on the long swell Of the Pacific Rolls she to starboard, Rolls she to larboard, Rest finding never. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE WOMAN'S GENITALS by HAYDEN CARRUTH A DISCRETE LOVE POEM by JAMES GALVIN JOY (1) by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE POET SPEAKS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO RICHARD R. WRIGHT - INSTRUCTOR by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SUGGESTED BY THE COVER OF A VOLUME OF KEATS'S POEMS by AMY LOWELL CONSECRATED GROUND; READ AT THE NEW YORK CITY HALL by EDWIN MARKHAM |