Poems (Allen)/Out at Sea

by Elizabeth Chase Allen

OUT AT SEA.

AR on the deep mid-ocean tossed,
 Leagues away from the friendly shore,
In the watery wilderness lost,
 Driven and deafened by rush and roar,
Baffled by wind and wave are we;—
 What sweet home-spirits may there be
Sadly pondering on our wandering
 Wide and wearisome, out at sea!

Lying here in my tossing bed,
 I dream of ruin, and rock, and wreck,—
Hearing the slow, continuous tread
 Of the sailor who walks the deck,
Keeping his long watch patiently;—
 Gentler watchers on shore there be;
Eyes which weep for us, leaving sleep for us,
 fond watch keep for us, out at sea!

In at the narrow window them
 Drifts the ocean-wind, wild and damp,
Frightening into flicker and flare
 The feeble flame of the swinging lamp;
Yet though lonesome and dark it be,
 There are places where steadily
Faith's fires burn for us, true hearts mourn for us,
 Dear arms yearn for us, out at sea!

Blinded and beaten by wind and foam,
 Hurled and tossed at the sea's command,
Sweet the thought that in some dear home,
 Steady and still on the solid land,
Where our hopes and our memories be
 Safely harbored from storm and sea,
Love takes heed for us, love's lips plead for us,
 Love's prayers speed for us, out at sea!

Night and darkness, and storm and clouds;
 Creak of cordage and shudder of sails;
Drifting drearily through the shrouds
 There is a murmur of mournful wails,—
Dirges sung for the lost at sea,
 Where the tempest is fierce and free:
Father, hear to us, bend Thine ear to us,
 Be Thou near to us, out at sea!