Day Four of Everyday Inspiration course asks for a story, essays, poems, and personal musings in a single image. I have chosen my image though, instead of the stock photos provided, and a poem by Oscar Wilde.

I should have written something myself, but this prompt didn’t lead me to it. The call was stronger to seek refuge where I go for inspiration – the sea, and the words of masters -, and come back later with my own in a next post.

My Voice

Within this restless, hurried, modern world

We took our hearts’ full pleasure – you and I,

And now the white sails of our ship are furled,

and spent the lading of our argosy.

Wherefore my cheeks before their time are wan

For every weeping is my gladness fled,

Sorrow has paled my young mouth’s vermilion,

And Ruin draws the curtains of my bed.

But all this crowded life has been to thee

No more than lyre, or lute, or subtle spell,

Of viols, or the music of the sea

That sleeps, a mimic echo, in the shell.