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! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOT SIX DIFFERENCES by MARVIN BELL SONG:SO WHY DOES THIS DEAD CARNATION by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE LITTLE FIRE IN THE WOODS by HAYDEN CARRUTH PENT by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON MY SENSES DO NOT DECEIVE ME by MARIANNE MOORE |