Poets page 1 Poets page 2 Poets page 3 Poet index Title index Millay menu

Millay  
Edna St.Vincent Millay
1892-1950

 
"Inland"

 

People that build their houses inland,
People that buy a plot of ground
Shaped like a house, and build a house there,
Far from the sea-board, far from the sound

Of water sucking the hollow ledges,
Tons of water striking the shore –
What do they long for, as I long for
One salt smell of the sea once more?

People the waves have not awakened,
Spanking the boats at the harbor's head,
What do they long for, as I long for, –
Starting up in my inland bed,

Beating the narrow walls, and finding
Neither a window nor a door,
Screaming to God for death by drowning –
One salt taste of the sea once more?

Buy Edna St.Vincent Millay's poetry

Poets page 1 Poets page 2 Poets page 3 Poet index Title index Millay menu