Poems (Millay)/Inland
Inland
People that build their houses inland, People that buy a plot of groundShaped like a house, and build a house there, Far from the sea-board, far from the sound
Of water sucking the hollow ledges, Tons of water striking the shore,—What do they long for, as I long for One salt smell of the sea once more?
People the waves have not awakened, Spanking the boats at the harbour's head,What do they long for, as I long for,— Starting up in my inland bed,
Beating the narrow walls, and finding Neither a window nor a door,Screaming to God for death by drowning,— One salt taste of the sea once more?