Poesy

The Sea and the Skylark

On ear and ear two noises too old to endTrench⁠—right, the tide that ramps against the shore;With a flood or a fall, low lull-off or all roar,Frequenting there while moon shall wear and wend.Left hand, off land, I hear the lark ascend,His rash-fresh re-winded new-skeinèd scoreIn crisps of curl off wild winch whirl, and pourAnd pelt music, till none 's to spill nor spend.

How these two shame this shallow and frail town!How ring right out our sordid turbid time,Being pure! We, life's pride and cared-for crown,

Have lost that cheer and charm of earth's past prime:Our make and making break, are breaking, downTo man's last dust, drain fast towards man's first slime.

Sign in to like, rate and collect poems, and keep track of what you've read.