Sea-Fever

I love this John Masefield poem! I first heard it read in Mrs. Kennedy's fifth grade class, then studied it in the ninth grade (the third form).

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely 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's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and the grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull;'s way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yawn from a laughing fellow rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.