Poem by Lincoln Ross Colcord

Envoy

Captain, Captain, heavy squall in sight;
Just took in the royals, ship she jumps like mad.
Somethin' on the weather bow, looks like a light.
Better come on deck, Sir, things is black and bad.

Captain's sleepin' – don't disturb his rest.
Hard time's over – hardest you have known.
He's brought you through it – showed you what was best.
Let him get his sleep, now – stand your watch alone.

Captain, Captain, night's a lonesome spell,
White foam a-slippin' past, empty sky and sea.
Ain't you got no stories like you used to tell?
Ain't you comin' up soon and talk awhile with me?

Captain's sleepin' – the long watch below.
Sleepin' so peaceful – let him sleep away.
Sea ain't lonesome – men have loved it so.
Sky ain't empty – God's up there, they say.

Captain, Captain, daybreak shows the land!
Can't you come on deck, Sir? – the shore's a livin' green.
Here's them little hillocks, we made it where you planned.
What's the use o' seein' things that you ain't seen?

Captain's sleepin' – dreamin' in his sleep,
Dreamin' of the landfalls off beyond the main,
Coasts that smell o' flowers, harbors broad and deep,
Ships a-pullin' homeward, and sailors home again.

1. The Westerlies
2. Christmas Island
3. Fernando de Noronha
4. Hong Kong
5. The Fishing Fleet

James Flecker Envoy ("The young men leap, and toss their golden hair")

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