Classic Poem

Beyond, — beyond the stifling inland nooks
Well loved of flowers and birds and butterflies,
And dim caerulean depths of summer skies,
And pebbly plashing meadowsweet-lined brooks,
Out to the far-off sea my spirit looks;
And seeks with fiery passionate surmise
The shore where the eternal sea-waves' eyes
Watch their sea-birds, — as these trees watch their rooks.

Beyond these valleys, — beautiful indeed, —
Beyond these haunts of heron, hawk, and jay, —
Beyond flower-sprinkled scented dappled mead, —
Thou art; and thy dark hair is wet with spray,
O my sea-bird: and all my soul would speed.
Repressless, towards our waves and thee to-day!