The Poetical Works of Walter C. Smith ... Revised by the Author: Coll. ed. |
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 | The Poetical Works of Walter C. Smith |  |
STORM-BIRDS
O creatures of the storm!
Shrill birds that scream but when the shrill winds blow,
And fish of monstrous form
Which the long rollers on the sandbeach throw,
And with the tangled wrack drift to and fro—
You well I know.
Shrill birds that scream but when the shrill winds blow,
And fish of monstrous form
Which the long rollers on the sandbeach throw,
And with the tangled wrack drift to and fro—
You well I know.
O creatures of the storm!
That creep out of your holes to meet the rain,
Foul toad and slug and worm,
And to your proper dark return again,
When the sun shines, and merry birds are fain
To sing amain!
That creep out of your holes to meet the rain,
Foul toad and slug and worm,
And to your proper dark return again,
When the sun shines, and merry birds are fain
To sing amain!
Yet the storm also brings
The Master to the helm the ship to guide,
And deftly trim her wings,
And shape her course amid the wind and tide,
And so the best and worst are side by side,
While storms abide.
The Master to the helm the ship to guide,
And deftly trim her wings,
And shape her course amid the wind and tide,
And so the best and worst are side by side,
While storms abide.
| The Poetical Works of Walter C. Smith | |