To a Sea Bird - 1868 Poetry

Sauntering hither on listless wings,

Careless vagabond of the sea,

Little thou heedest the surf that sings,

The bar that thunders, the shale that rings —

Give me to keep thy company.

 

Little thou hast, old friend, that's new,

Storms and wrecks are old things to thee;

Sick am I of these changes, too;

Little to care for, little to rue —

I on the shore, and thou on the sea.

 

All of thy wanderings, far and near,

Bring thee at last to shore and me;

All of my journeyings end them here,

This our tether, must be our cheer —

I on the shore, and thou on the sea.

 

Lazily rocking on ocean's breast,

Something in common, old friend, have we;

Thou on the shingle seek'st thy nest,

I to the waters look for rest —

I on the shore, and thou on the sea.

October 22, 1868. McConnelsville Conservative 3(9): 2. From the Overland Monthly.