Saturday, February 9, 2013

Down to the Seas Again

"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

 I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over."

-- "Sea-Fever," John Masefield, 1902
Discovered in a quote by departing Deep Sea News blogger Kevin Zelnio.

I miss the sea. My time there since December has been limited by weather, chance, and responsibilities. Today, as the record-breaking blizzard outside winds down, I cannot wait for the roads to clear so I can see what mighty nature has done to Curtis Cove.

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this poem. I understand its words so well. Looking forward to seeing photos from your next trip to the cove.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Amy! I'm so glad to have discovered this poem -- I remember the opening lines being quoted before, but never dug deeper. My visit back to the cove yesterday was much-needed.

      Delete
  2. Ah that poem - back in the mid 60's when I was in high school we had to memorize it - grade 10 I think but, well that was a long time ago and the synapses are a bit worn out now :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think for a long time I had known the line "And a star to steer her by," but was only the past week that I delved deeper and uncovered the rest. Glad I did, might have a go at memorizing it myself!

      Delete
  3. I must go down to the sea again, to the sad and disenchanted sea.
    And all I ask is for others to join me to listen to her plea,
    and that of the fish, lobsters, snails, turtles, birds, fish,
    and all who call her their home; for they too cry one wish,
    don't litter or we will all surely die.

    Pick up litter and bolster the enchantment of the sea,
    Bernie
    http://www.litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bernie, I think you're genuinely onto something there. My visit to the cove yesterday had a few beautiful gems... But so much plastic.

      Delete