The smell of the sea in my nostrils,
The sound of the sea in my ears;
The touch of the spray on my burning face,
Like the mist of hesitant tears.

The blue of the sky above me,
The green of the waves beneath;
The sun flashing down on a gray-white sail
Like a sword from its sheath.

And ever the breaking puffs,
And ever the rocks’ despise;
And ever a thrill in my inmost heart
That my reason cannot explain.

So I say to my heart, “Be silent,
The mystery of time is here;
Death’s way will be plain when we understand the main,
And the secret of life be clear.”