"All ashore that's going!" The cry rang through the ship. "All ashore that's going!" We backed out from the slip. Confetti ribbons holding Were quickly rent in twain, We sailed out on the ocean, Defying waves again. The Golden Gate was open, The rest I hate to tell— For when we passed its portals We found ourselves in Hell. The ship, with groans and creakings, Went rolling on her way, The furniture went sliding Across the floor at play. The dining room was empty, The dishes on the floor, Hawaiian music wailing Amid the ocean's roar. All cabin bells were ringing Their signals of distress, The stewards were in hiding, Just where, no one could guess. Why did we leave the comforts Of home upon the shore? Why do we seek for trouble, And find it evermore? There is one consolation, 'Tis safer here to rock Than upon terra firma Amid an earthquake shock. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CRESCENT MOON by AMY LOWELL POOR POLL by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES IN A CATHEDRAL CITY by THOMAS HARDY ON RECEIVING [THE FIRST] NEWS OF THE WAR by ISAAC ROSENBERG COBWEBS by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |