Clinton Scollard

The Speech of the Sea

  All yesterday the sea was sapphire fair,
    And the waves told, with little rippling glees,
  Of ships that sailed, and then returned to bear
    Their golden argosies.

  But ah, to-day the sea is ashen gray,
    And ceaselessly has sobbed unto the shore
  Of those ill-fated barques that sailed away
    And came again no more!