Classic Poem

Is it now or long ago —
By this summer water,
With a little boat
Like a shell afloat
Light and slow —
That I was a caveman's daughter?

Proud man, to show he is free,
Utters commands to the sea;
His imperious ships,
Foaming through iron lips,
Ride her and hold her under;
His divers steely and slim
Slip down — impudent, sly —
For a swim;
His wings of wonder
Tear her clouds asunder
And laugh at her out of the sky;
And ashore, when she booms and lowers,
He fronts her with towers.
To show he is strong and free
Man utters commands to the sea.

Yet still —
Is it now or long ago? —
The fisherman puts out in a little boat,
Like a shell afloat
At the waves' will
Light and slow;
And draws his nets from under
The rippling water,
And counts his plunder.

The first fisher sifting the new sea?
And am I a caveman's daughter?