This is one of my favourite poems that PH seems to have overlooked. Such a simple act and James Stephens produced this masterpiece from it. <br /> <br /> <br />And then I pressed the shell <br />Close to my ear <br />And listened well, <br />And straightaway like a bell <br />Came low and clear <br />The slow, sad murmur of far distant seas, <br />Whipped by an icy breeze <br />Upon a shore <br />Wind-swept and desolate. <br />It was a sunless strand that never bore <br />The footprint of a man, <br />Nor felt the weight <br />Since time began <br />Of any human quality or stir <br />Save what the dreary winds and waves incur. <br />And in the hush of waters was the sound <br />Of pebbles rolling round, <br />For ever rolling with a hollow sound. <br />And bubbling sea-weeds as the waters go <br />Swish to and fro <br />Their long, cold tentacles of shiny grey. <br />There was no day, <br />Nor ever came a night <br />Setting the stars alight <br />To wonder at the moon: <br />Was twilight only and the frightened croon, <br />Smitten to whimpers, of the dreary wind <br />And waves that journeyed blind- <br />And then I loosed my ear- O it was sweet <br />To hear a cart go jolting down the street. <br /> <br /> <br />James Stephens<br /><br />Esra Sloblock<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-shell-by-james-stephens/
