The Sea Gypsy

Source: Lenaah's Flickr

A friend of mine came across this poem by Richard Hovey ,originally published sometime in the late 19th century, in a book of children's poetry from the forties, and she wrote it down. She read it aloud to me and I immediately had to write it down. There's something about it that catches me, and enthralls me. Its supposed to be about the ocean, but its lustful, passionate, more like a love poem, and I understand.

I am fevered with the sunset,

I am fretful with the bay,

for the wander thirst is on me

and my soul is in Cathay.

*

There's a schooner in the offing,

with her topsails shot with fire,

and my heart has gone aboard her

for the Islands of Desire.

*

I must forth again tomorrow! 

With the sunset I must be,

hull down on the trail of rapture

in the wander of the Sea.