Kenneth Slessor

27 March 1901 – 30 June 1971 / Orange, New South Wales

Adventure Bay

SOPHIE'S my world . . . my arm must soon or later
Like Francis Drake turn circumnavigator,
Stem the dark tides, take by the throat strange gales
And toss their spume to stars unknown, as kings
Rain diamonds to the mob . . . then arch my sails
By waterspouts of lace and bubbling rings
Gulfed in deep satin, conquer those warmer waves
Where none but mermaids ride, and the still caves
Untrod by sailors . . . aye, and with needle set,
Rounding Cape Turnagain, take up my way,
And so to the Ivory Coast . . . and farther yet,
Port of all drownéd lovers, Adventure Bay!
120 Total read