Friday Poem: 'Maritime Ode'
A Friday poem by Álvaro de Campos, selected by Rhidian Brook.
A Friday poem by Álvaro de Campos, selected by Rhidian Brook.
Alone this summer morning on the deserted wharf,
I look towards the bar, I look towards the Indefinite,
I look and am glad to see
The tiny black figure of an oncoming steamer.
It's still far away but distinct, classic in its own way.
It leaves a useless trail of smoke in the air far behind it.
It's coming in, and the morning with it, and here and there
Along the river maritime life begins to stir:
Sails are hoisted, tugboats advance,
Small boats jut out from behind the ships in the harbour.