SEA FEVER

SEA FEVER ( 1916) by John Masefield ( 1878-1967)

I must go down to the seas again, 

to the lonely sea and the sky.

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea's face,

and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day ,with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume,

and the sea gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, 

to the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife; and all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.....

 Photographs 2025 Campbell River, B.C. 

                     ("Sea fever" is in the public domain)