Classic Poem

To Enter Indian River.

When through the inlet, over the bar,
Surf dashes by you, stranded you are,
Wade with the anchor and cable as far
As the quicksand on the sedge!
Pull to the anchor right through the breach!
Ride up the slide of the wave from the beach!
Pull to the anchor your skiff like a sledge —
Kedge!

Then shall you enter the Indian pond
Tranquil in sound of the ocean beyond;
Fishes preceded you, safe and joconde,
Wild fowl dive in the sedge;
Little beach birds come and twitter and fledge —
Delicate shells trundle in, spinning fond —
Pull to the anchor, your hostage and pledge:
Kedge!

When the wide ocean ocean rages behind,
And overhead bursts the tempest unkind,
Think if the beach has a runnel inclined
Where you may ground like a dredge!
Wade with the anchor! Pull to its grip!
If there's a leak that can swim but a chip,
It may split up the shore like a wedge;
Pull to the haven, staunch as a ship —
Kedge!

Life! There is night, like the Indian lake
Over the bar where the Day cannot break;
Pass to thy anchorage, slumber partake!
Lie at the storm's broken edge!
Then there is peace in the dreamful lagoon;
Nothing strays in but the stars and the moon;
Left close behind you the ocean's bassoon,
Pull to thy rest o'er the ledge: