I saw three ships go sailing by, <br />Over the sea, the lifting sea, <br />And the wind rose in the morning sky, <br />And one was rigged for a long journey. <br /> <br />The first ship turned towards the west, <br />Over the sea, the running sea, <br />And by the wind was all possessed <br />And carried to a rich country. <br /> <br />The second ship turned towards the east, <br />Over the sea, the quaking sea, <br />And the wind hunted it like a beast <br />To anchor in captivity. <br /> <br />The third ship drove towards the north, <br />Over the sea, the darkening sea, <br />But no breath of wind came forth, <br />And the decks shone frostily. <br /> <br />The northern sky rose high and black <br />Over the proud unfruitful sea, <br />East and west the ships came back <br />Happily or unhappily: <br /> <br />But the third went wide and far <br />Into an unforgiving sea <br />Under a fire-spilling star, <br />And it was rigged for a long journey.<br /><br />Philip Larkin<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-north-ship/
