C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Seaward

By Celia Laighton Thaxter (1835–1894)

HOW long it seems since that mild April night,

When, leaning from the window, you and I

Heard, clearly ringing from the shadowy bight,

The loon’s unearthly cry!

Southwest the wind blew, million little waves

Ran rippling round the point in mellow tune;

But mournful, like the voice of one who raves,

That laughter of the loon!

We called to him, while blindly through the haze

Uprose the meagre moon behind us, slow,—

So dim the fleet of boats we scarce could trace,

Moored lightly just below.

We called, and lo, he answered! Half in fear

We sent the note back. Echoing rock and bay

Made melancholy music far and near,

Sadly it died away.

That schooner, you remember? Flying ghost!

Her canvas catching every wandering beam,

Aerial, noiseless, past the glimmering coast

She glided like a dream.

Would we were leaning from your window now,

Together calling to the eerie loon,

The fresh wind blowing care from either brow,

This sumptuous night of June!

So many sighs load this sweet inland air,

’Tis hard to breathe, nor can we find relief:

However lightly touched, we all must share

This nobleness of grief.

But sighs are spent before they reach your ear;

Vaguely they mingle with the water’s rune.

No sadder sound salutes you than the clear,

Wild laughter of the loon.

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