This is one of my favorite poems written by John Masefield who was well known in the early part of the 1900's this poem was read at my late fathers funeral 3 years ago, he was a First Officer in Her Majesty's Royal Navy so the poem seemed appropriate he died after a long battle with lung cancer and although we never really got along I do miss him and I hope this poem will help someone else as it has helped me, because I read the words and try to imagine all the things my father has seen around the world and what its like to be on the ocean and it is a very calming feeling. unless you suffer from sea sickness oh well here goes I hope you all enjoy.

"Sea-Fever"

I must 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 a grey dawn breaking.

I must 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 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 yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).
(English Poet Laureate, 1930-1967.)