(idea) by Lometa Fri Jun 22 2001 at 18:02:29

The Rower's Chant

    ROW till the land dip 'neath
    The sea from view.
    Row till a land peep up,
    A home for you.

    Row till the mast sing songs
    Welcome and sweet,
    Row till the waves, outstripped,
    Give up, dead beat.

    Row till the sea-nymphs rise
    To ask you why
    Rowing you tarry not
    To hear them sigh.

    Row till the stars grow bright
    Like certain eyes.
    Row till the noon be high
    As hopes you prize.

    Row till you harbour in
    All longing's port.
    Row till you find all things
    For which you sought.

    T. Sturge Moore (1870-1944)

Thomas Sturge Moore was a friend of both William Butler Yeats and Ezra Pound. Though never popular his work was still well respected though for the most part obscured by time. Written in the first third of the century Moore'sThe Rower's Chant uses a themes that are classical and conservative but his poetic technique is very innovative by applying the rhythm of the poem to the rhythmical actions of rowing.

Sources:

Blair, Bob:
http://www.geocities.com/~bblair/990622.htm

Public domain text taken from The Poets’ Corner:
http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/moore03.html#1

CST Approved.

I like it! 1 C!