SEA FEVER

By John Masefield

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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.

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Note:  'When the long trick's over.'  The word 'trick' in sailing terms refers to a watch at sea: four hours watching and eight hours rest. We may take it at face value and assume Masefield is again drawing attention to the simplicity of a life at sea, emphasized by the wonderful balance between work and rest.

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Note:  You might also like to see my 'shadow poems' which I've written.  I have based them on the rhythm which John Masefield has used in this poem - or should I say the 'metre'.  

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Please go to:  Shorthand Fever and Shopping Fever

It is SUCH fun playing with words and metre.  Enjoy your writing.   Josie

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