Poems (Strong)/White Wings, A Song
WHITE WINGSA Song
Toward the westering sun we merrily sail
As a bird in its flight o'er the sapphire sea,
The wind whistles and sings as we spread our white wings,
And the boat leaps ahead like a captive made free.
As a bird in its flight o'er the sapphire sea,
The wind whistles and sings as we spread our white wings,
And the boat leaps ahead like a captive made free.
In the gray of the twilight we silently sail,
The stars peep out shyly at drop of the sun,
And to windward the roar of the surf on the shore
Booms rhythmic, triumphant, an evening gun.
The stars peep out shyly at drop of the sun,
And to windward the roar of the surf on the shore
Booms rhythmic, triumphant, an evening gun.
Where sea and sky meet comes the moon as we sail,
Aphrodite so fair from the ocean emerging;
We skim in our flight her pathway of light
Where silver-tipped wavelets are splashing and surging.
Aphrodite so fair from the ocean emerging;
We skim in our flight her pathway of light
Where silver-tipped wavelets are splashing and surging.
But suddenly, stealthily, sweeps in the sea-mist,
Aromatic with odors blent from the salt wave;
Through a mystical veil we awesomely sail
Over shadowy haunt and deep-hidden cave.
Aromatic with odors blent from the salt wave;
Through a mystical veil we awesomely sail
Over shadowy haunt and deep-hidden cave.
Then homeward to harbor we drowsily sail,
Where dusky dreams hover awaiting the dawn,
The anchor is cast and all is made fast,
Now fold the white wings till the shadows are gone.
Where dusky dreams hover awaiting the dawn,
The anchor is cast and all is made fast,
Now fold the white wings till the shadows are gone.
ORGAN; THE HOLY INNOCENTS CHURCH, HARLEM: 1884