My way is on the bright blue sea, <br />My sleep upon its rocking tide; <br />And many an eye has followed me <br />Where billows clasp the worn seaside. <br /> <br />My plumage bears the crimson blush, <br />When ocean by the sun is kissed! <br />When fades the evening's purple flush, <br />My dark wing cleaves the silver mist. <br /> <br />Full many a fathom down beneath <br />The bright arch of the splendid deep <br />My ear has heard the sea-shell breathe <br />O'er living myriads in their sleep. <br /> <br />They rested by the coral throne, <br />And by the pearly diadem; <br />Where the pale sea-grape had o'ergrown <br />The glorious dwellings made for them. <br /> <br />At night upon my storm-drench'd wing, <br />I poised above a helmless bark, <br />And soon I saw the shattered thing <br />Had passed away and left no mark. <br /> <br />And when the wind and storm were done, <br />a ship, that had rode out the gale, <br />Sunk down, without a signal-gun, <br />And none was left to tell the tale. <br /> <br />I saw the pomp of day depart-- <br />The cloud resign its golden crown, <br />When to the ocean's beating heart <br />The sailor's wasted corse went down. <br /> <br />Peace be to those whose graves are made <br />Beneath the bright and silver sea! <br />Peace - that their relics there were laid <br />With no vain pride and pageantry.<br /><br />Henry Wadsworth Longfellow<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-sea-diver/
