Because she has been talking of the sea and making me miss it all over again, and because I heard gulls last night, and because today is rainy and the sea would be dark if I were out on it: a poem.
Voices
The restless sea is calling, and I would be away
To where the surf pounds up the beach to thunder
in my ears,
To where the salt wind tastes like wine, and
sailing vessels gay
Go out to strange sea-guarded ports and drift home
gray with years.
From books and shells and scraps of tales these
thoughts have come to me,
For I was born far inland who long to go to sea.
The midland has its voices, but they call to me in
vain.
I care not for the whispering road nor drumming
city street,
My heartbeats do not quicken to the thrush's
joyous strain,
Nor to the sighing music of the wind upon the
wheat.
The bees drone their contented song- but what is
this to me?
For I was born far inland and long to hear the
sea.
The sky is like the sea today and clouds like galleons
ride-
I found a tiny river just beginning near the
spring,
That called for me to follow and it would be my
guide;
A boisterous echo in its tone, that yet was
whispering,
Gave me a hint of ocean surge, and soon I know
that we
Shall leave this inland country and make our way
to sea.
-James S. Hearst
p.s. thankfully I live near forests, which can be like oceans sometimes...