To Burn for the Sea

I must down to the seas once more, to the lone sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail that shakes,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn that breaks.

I must down to the seas once more, for the call of the swift high tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that makes me go to its side;
And all I ask is a day with winds with the white clouds that fly,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea gulls that cry.

I must down to the seas once more, to the roam-here stray-there life.
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a sharp new knife;
And all I ask is a good old yarn from a friend who likes his fun,
And a still sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick is done.

                                -- John Field of Mace

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