Chris Port Blog #332. 'Beach Fever'

For Sadie

Beach Fever

© Chris Port, 11^th April 2012

(with apologies to John Masefield)

I must go down to the beach again, 
to the empty beach and the night,

And all I ask is a blood moon 
and a dog to steer my sight,

And the stone’s slip and the mind’s gone 
and the foghorn’s dying,

And a cool kiss on a dream’s face, 
and a mad gull crying.

*           *           *           *           *           *           *

Sea-Fever

by John Masefield, 1902

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel’s kick and the wind's song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.