Classic Poem

Oh, the throb of the screw and the beat of the screw,
And the swing of the ship as she finds the sea!
Oh, the haze of the land as it sinks from view—
The land that is dear, since it harbors you!
The land holds you, and the ship takes me.

Oh, the swing of the ship and the heave of the ship,
And the race of the foam as it slides astern!
Oh, the mist of the eyes and the quivering lip.
And the tearing of heartstrings, as sea-miles slip—
The long, long miles, ere the ship return!

Oh, the toss of the sea and the moan of the sea,
The widening sea as the great ship drives!
The greed of the miles between you and me—
The pitiless greed of the ravening sea.
That eats up the years of our hungering lives!