This poem was written by Robert A. Haven, of Santa Ana, California, and was published in the Crown Anthology of Verse (1938).


Song Of The Sea

Down where the rolling green waves surge and break
Against the rocks, so rough and worn, yet tall;
Where sea birds whirl through space, and wheeling wake
The echoes of the cliffs with shrilling call;
'Tis there I'd be on the old sea trail with spray
From the combers blowing 'gainst my face;
With sun and wind and salt sea air to lay
The cares of the mind back to the peaceful place.

And as I stand and gaze across the deep,
Then down beneath the surface blue, above
The shallow pools, where minnows dart and leap;
Where sea weeds ebb and sweep along the cove,
I feel a sense of oneness with the sea
And all the myriad creatures living here
In tide-swept pools or air-borne flying free
Through azure skies they soar, then glide so near.

The roar of breakers 'gainst the rock-bound coast,
The wind that sweeps about the cliff's scarred face,
The rocky pool, the darting finny host,
The foggy morns, the warm and sunny days,
The gold of poppies on the hills above,
Verbena, lupine, tiny blooms unnamed;
All these and more I'd share with those who love
The wondrous magic of a place untamed.

The sun has gone its course above the hills
And sea. The end of day is drawing near.
And now the sun with fiery glory fills
The heavens, at last a ruddy, golden sphere
It sinks in misty light beyond the waves.
With fitful breaths the sea wind steals along
From out the mossy, dusky ocean caves,
And dark of night now mutes the ocean's song.


Robert A. Haven