Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, REGATTA, by IVAN SWIFT


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

REGATTA, by                    
First Line: We have heard the roll of the signal - gun!
Last Line: We've heard our signal-gun!
Subject(s): Competition; Surfing; Track Athletics; Waves; Wind; Running Races; Pole Vaulting; Discus Throwing; Shot Putting; Running Hurdles


WE have heard the roll of the signal-gun! —
Our fleet is off in the race for a run
With the gulls and the wind and the wave!
The surf-nymphs rave

At the prow and beckon us on —
On to the sea and the echoing buoy!
No landsman's coward "Ahoy"
We'll heed. We're off, and the mate is Joy!

The halyards hiss and the sheets
Outflate. The straining spar competes
With the helmsman's ardor lent
To the tug of the gale unspent!

The deck is a desert, fore and aft,
And the sailor's will is the will of the craft.
Lie low! Sweep on! while high is the sun!
We've heard our signal-gun!





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