along the way

(my sister sent me this photo from her ferry ride home today)

long island sound

by emma lazarus

i see it as it looked one afternoon

in august,-by a fresh soft breeze o'erblown.

the swiftness of the tide, the light thereon,

a far-off sail, white as a crescent moon.

the shining waters with pale currents strewn,

the quiet fishing-smacks, the eastern cove,

the semi-circle of its dark, green grove.

the luminous grasses, and the merry sun

in the grave sky; the sparkle far and wide,

laughter of unseen children, cheerful chirp

of crickets, and low lisp of rippling tide,

light summer clouds fantastical as sleep

changing unnoted while I gazed thereon.

all these fair sounds and sights I made my own.