Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By Elisabeth (Cabazza)Pullen1237 The Sea-Weed
T
“Poor wandering water-weed, where dost thou go,
Astray upon the ocean’s restless pulse?”
It said: “I do not know.
Swayed to and fro by warm and shallow waves;
Along the coast the storm-wind raging went,
And tore me from my caves.
Where no flocks pasture, and no man shall have
Homestead, nor any tenure there may gain
But only for a grave.
What can I do in all this boundless sea?
No creature of the universe has need
Or any thought of me.”
The sea-weed floated. Then a refluent tide
Swept it along to meet a galleon’s prow—
“Land ho!” Columbus cried.