Once a merry little wavelet That came dancing o'er the sea, With its top all silver crested, Just as pretty as it could be, Saw an island, coral stranded, In the midst of sky-blue ocean, And at once toward it wandered, Murmuring low as in devotion. It had passed by many an island,— Many a fair land had it seen;— Passed by shores where dainty sweetness Nestled down in darkest green; Many a violet blue had wooed it,— Many a rose had drooped its head, Still the wave had wandered onward, By its wayward fancies led. But today 'twas Oh! so weary,— And it longed so much for rest, That it quieted its heavings, And it bowed its silvery crest; And it murmured to the island, "Let me sleep upon thy shore, Let me rest amidst thy corals,— Rest from ocean's rush and roar." Then it crept toward it softly, And it whispered off to sleep, While the sun was sinking westward And the moon rose o'er the deep; Water-lilies, fairies seeming— Bowed and kissed it from the shore, Sleep thou sweet among the cresses Now and for evermore. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 4. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITH LYGDAMUS by EZRA POUND FORGETFULNESS by HAROLD HART CRANE THREE GATES [OF GOLD] by ELIZABETH DAYTON THE POET AND THE BABY by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR |