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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON MEETING A SAILING VESSEL IN MID-OCEAN by LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON

Poet Analysis

First Line: SHE MOVES ON GRANDLY 'TWIXT THE SEA AND SKY
Last Line: THEN HEARTSICK TO OUR SOLITUDE WE TURN.
Subject(s): SHIPS & SHIPPING;

SHE moves on grandly 'twixt the sea and sky,
Like some gigantic bird from foreign shore;
Gray mist behind her and gray mist before,
Riding upon the waters royally.
Salt winds caress her, as they urge her by,
And we who watch shall see her nevermore;
For on she goes, to where the breakers roar
Round some far coast we never may descry.

So on Life's tide we meet an unknown soul,
And catch a passing vision of its grace;
Just seen, then vanished, leaving us to yearn
With vain desire to follow to its goal
The revelation of the radiant face --
Then heartsick to our solitude we turn.




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