CAST on the water by a careless hand, Day after day the winds persuaded me: Onward I drifted till a coral tree Stayed me among its branches, where the sand Gathered about me, and I slowly grew, Fed by the constant sun and the inconstant dew. The sea-birds build their nests against my root, And eye my slender body's horny case. Widowed within this solitary place Into the thankless sea I cast my fruit; Joyless I thrive, for no man may partake Of all the store I bear and harvest for his sake. No more I heed the kisses of the morn; The harsh winds rob me of the life they gave; I watch my tattered shadow in the wave, And hourly droop and nod my crest forlorn, While all my fibres stiffen and grow numb Beckoning the tardy ships, the ships that never come! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MEASURE OF THE YEAR by JAMES GALVIN THEY HAVEN'T HEARD THE WEST IS OVER by JAMES GALVIN AMOUR by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON AUTUMN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON DESTINY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON INTERRACIAL by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |