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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 THE LAWYERS KNOW TOO MUCH by CARL SANDBURG TWO FUNERALS: 2. by LOUIS UNTERMEYER DREAMS by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER CHANGE by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS THE CASTLE OF CHILLON by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON EVANGELINE; A TALE OF ACADIE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE BIRDS: THE HYMN OF THE BIRDS by ARISTOPHANES EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 34. TRUE LOVE KNOWS BUT ONE by PHILIP AYRES THE SECOND BROTHER; AN UNFINISHED DRAMA by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |
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