Written by Mermaid Seraphine
Poems about the sea are often about the beauty of its waves, ships, anchors and night and sunshine on the sea. Cora C. Bass captured those themes perfectly in her anthology titled “Songs of All Seasons.” In this article, you have a unique opportunity to read her most beautiful poems.
“The waves of chance” (poem by Cora C. Bass)
Buffeted by the waves of chance,
Uncertain what to do,
We sail the sea of circumstance
A voyage ever new.
The beacon light too often hid,
On which we could rely,
Can Hope betray us? God forbid!
The haven still is nigh.
Buffeted by the waves of chance,
Without the compass—choice,
Neglecting when we should advance
The one directing voice;
Bewildered by the blinding spray
We fail to count the cost,
And court the dangers of delay
When reckonings are lost.
Buffeted by the waves of chance,
Rejecting what is best,
We scan the billows’ wild expanse
An eager, ceaseless quest.
The faithful pilot we have missed,
No fault of his, our own;
It means destruction to desist,—
We battle on alone.
Buffeted by the waves of chance,
Not knowing where to land,
We need a keen, unerring glance,
A firm, a steadfast hand.
The ship of life triumphant glides
Past doubt’s delusive reef,
And joyfully at anchor rides
In yon fair bay—Belief.
“The missing ship” (poem by Cora C. Bass)
Any news yet of the missing ship?
Any news yet? we say;
A household word on every lip,
The name of that ship to-day:
The name of the ship who left her dock
In the blush of the early morn,
Has she struck, unknown, on some cruel rock
With never a voice to warn?
Any news yet of the missing ship?
Any news yet? we cry;
We speak her name with a trembling lip,
To her aid we fain would fly.
Adrift at mercy of wind and wave;
Storm spent on a desolate shore:—
May there be one guardian hand to save,
’Mid the billows rush and roar.
Any news yet of the missing ship?
Any news yet? we sigh;
We speak her name with a timid lip,
And pray for a kind reply.
For life and death in a moment blend,
Who ever the captain may be;
We never can tell how a trip will end,
When a ship puts out to sea.
“Anchor me safe” (poem by Cora C. Bass)
Anchor me safe, though by danger oppressed;
Safe in the haven where motion is rest.
Safe with the waves rushing up on the shore,
Leaving my heart undisturbed by their roar.
Anchor me yonder, the beacon in sight,
Never to wander away from its light;
Type of security, brighten my way,
Turning the darkness of evening to day.
Anchor me safe, lest the surges resound
With the death note of a vessel aground.
Straight is the course the Good Pilot must take,
I may be weary but he is awake.
Worried and weary the tempest unchecked,
No one who trusted Him ever was wrecked!
Breasting the waters, wind driven and high
Perfect the power on which I rely.
Mortal may waver, with Him is the skill
Vanquishing evil; Omnipotent will.
Saviour from trouble, a shelter in storm,
Bidding the world to His wisdom conform.
“Night” (poem by Cora C. Bass)
The mellow moonbeams glint along the waves,
Beyond the inky blur yon frowning height
Full oft impresses on the tranquil deep.
What eagle glances pierce the veil of gloom!
Each galaxy of light proclaims a town,
Instinct with life, as childhood is with joy.
Afar, like some dim phantom of the hour,
A liner speeds majestic on her way;
While beaconward a schooner lies at ease,
A graceful shadow on a silvered sea.
“Sunshine” (poem by Cora C. Bass)
There is plenty of sunshine in the world
To brighten the darkest days;
Are we sailing on with our colors furled,
Or spread to the cheering rays?
Are we sailing on with downcast eyes,
Or eyes on the gleaming goal?
Safe is the trip of the ship of the skies
Though the waves of the clouds rough roll.
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