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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SURF-MAN'S TALE, by THOMAS FLEMING DAY Poet's Biography First Line: We found him here upon the drying sand Last Line: Why it gave back again. | |||
We found him here upon the drying sand, Bloodless and sodden, like a beaten rag; A bight of stranded rope clinched in his hand, And round his waist a flag. A sailor? Yes; his schooner, deep with coal, Had lost her sails and driving shoreward fast Struck in the night upon the outer shoal -- Look there, you'll see her mast. We watched the surf when morning brought us light, We tracked the beach until the West was red -- Then ocean, weary of her wasteful fight, Drew back and left the dead. For she has freaks of vengeance, then is mild, Doing her killing with a jester's joy; Drowning the strong man, tossing up the child, Sparing but to destroy. But when a woman came and fiercely drew That corse to her and with a sob of pain, Sobbed out her life, we blessed the sea and knew Why it gave back again. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CARGO BOATS by THOMAS FLEMING DAY EASTER HYMN by GEORGE SANTAYANA TO SIR HENRY WOTTON (1) by JOHN DONNE THE BARD'S ANNUAL DEFIANCE by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS LAURENCE BLOOMFIELD IN IRELAND: 5. THE LOCH by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM FIRST LOVE by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS FOR LACK OF GOLD by ADAM AUSTIN AT HAWTHORNE'S GRAVE by CHARLOTTE FISKE BATES |
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