The Sea-Voice

Beyond the sands I hear the sea-voice calling With passion all but human in its pain, While from my eyes the bitter tears are falling, And all the summer land seems blind with rain; For out within those waters, cruel, changeless, She sleeps, beyond all rage of earth or sea, A smile upon her dear lips, dumb, but waiting, And I—I hear the sea-voice calling me. The tide comes in. The moonlight flood and glory Of that unresting surge thrill earth with bliss, And I can hear the passionate sweet story Of waves that waited round her for her kiss. Sweetheart, they love you; silent and unseeing, Old Ocean holds his court around you there, And while I reach out through the dark to find you His fingers twine the sea-weed in your hair. The tide goes out and in the dawn’s new splendour The dreams of dark first fade, then pass away, And I awake from visions soft and tender To face the shuddering agony of day For out within those waters, cruel, changeless, She sleeps, beyond all rage of earth or sea; A smile upon her dear lips, dumb, but waiting, And I—I hear the sea-voice calling me.