Tide Waves

Old Neptune tosses on his rocky bed,
     Yearning and moaning with the hopeless love
     That binds his heart to that fair Queen above,
Whose charms immortal lead him as they led
When first her maiden smile was o’er him shed.
     He climbs the rocks of every windy cove,
     Leaps the thick hedges of the coral grove,
Toward endless wests to chase her shining head
Almost he seems to win his dazzling Queen
     Who still eludes hum at each sunset goal;
Ungrasped forever, yet forever seen,
     Like aspirations of the human soul.
Saith not his infinite sob that “Al is vain!”
Nay; but to sea and soul life comes on waves of pain!