On the Jetty
Still the old rage, O Sea?
Blue lightnings buried under snowy shock
Of white foam-bodies dying on the rock;
Such sobbing passion to be still more free—
Still the old yearning... Sea?
Still the old secret... Sky?
Cloud galleons sailing for some coast of Dream,
And robber winds a-gallop for the gleam
Of Western gold where purple banners fly—
Still the old questing... Sky?
Still the old bondage... Heart?
Slave to a beauty that defeats the mind;
Enchained, whose bondage even yet may find
True words, the whole glad wonder to impart
Meaning of Sea and Sky and Thee... O Heart!