I wonder if there is any truth in the often quoted saying " the sea runs in ones blood" on certain occasions I have the feeling come over me that it would be nice to be back at sea and do it all again, when I read the following bit of poetry that feeling returns.


The Sea Gypsy
by Richard Hovey
1864-1900


I am fevered with
the sunset,
I am fretful with
the bay,
For the wander-
thirst is on me
And my soul is in
Cathay.

There's a
schooner in the
offing,
With her topsails
shot with fire,
And my heart has
gone aboard her
For the islands of
Desire.

I must forth again
to-morrow!
With the sunset I
must be
Hull down on the
trail of rapture
In the wonder of
the sea.

It would nice if we could all of us swap the schooner for a tramp and set sail for the islands of Desire, stan.

I have always loved that little poem, maybe because its so short and economical with
words, but captures the feeling so beautifully.

Anthropologists believe we all crawled out of the pre-historic oceans and slowly evolved
into what we are today on land. So, perhaps there is this built-in yearning to return to
the sea. All I know is that it exists.

that's a good one! i like it because it is short and economical as you say, but allows imagination rather than relying on complete description.

born on the banks of the river mersey and living here in land locked alberta i miss the sea terribly.

Great poem describes it perfectly, but I can remember years ago on anchor watch out in Liverpool bay after a voyage, sometimes for a fortnight walking up and down banging a gong when foggy, cursing thinking of all those shore siders in the alehouse while we were out there. I hated the sea then, but was always glad to get back again.

Ernie how many of us when on watch in winter vowed to give up the merchant navy only to sign back on another ship straight away. Still would given a chance.

I doubt you would sign on today Les, it's all bout whats in it for me, me, me, me!
Those halcyon we knew have gone forever, the best we can hope for is a parallel world where we get to live our lives again with the knowledge enabling us to right the mistakess we've made in this life.

Perhaps the old-time shipowners would continue on with the old-time general cargo ship?