Came up that cold sea at Cromer like a running grave <br /> Beside him as he struck <br />Wildly towards the shore, but the blackcapped wave <br /> Crossed him and swung him back, <br />And he saw his son digging in the castled dirt that could save. <br /> Then the farewell rock <br />Rose a last time to his eyes. As he cried out <br /> A pawing gag of the sea <br />Smothered his cry and he sank in his own shout <br /> Like a dying airman. Then she <br />Deep near her son asleep on the hourglass sand <br /> Was awakened by whom <br />Save the Fate who knew that this was the wrong time: <br /> And opened her eyes <br />On the death of her son's begetter. Up she flies <br /> Into the hydra-headed <br />Grave as he closes his life upon her who for <br /> Life has so richly bedded him. <br />But she drove through his drowning like Orpheus and tore <br /> Back by his hair <br />Her escaping bridegroom. And on the sand their son <br /> Stood laughing where <br />He was almost an orphan. Then the three lay down <br /> On that cold sand <br />Each holding the other by a living hand.<br /><br />George Barker<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-a-friend-s-escape-from-drowning-off-the-norfolk-coast/
