The Grey Tide

The cold green rocks and lapping waves     Are all my world as here I sit     With downcast eye and heart that craves     The bush and blue sky over it.     The tide of years is washing by,     The misty water drifts between     A soul with wings that may not fly     And shadowy realms that might have been.     Too late, too late, alas, I know     The track that winds by shining leaves     From where the flood reflects, below,     The greyness of the heart that grieves.     Another yet may tread the way,     And offer at that hidden shrine     His gift of rolled and twisted clay,     And set his lips to holy wine.     Another yet may tinge the flame     Upon that altar blue or red,     And freely call upon Her name,     And taste at will the blessed bread.     The waves are grey about the rocks,     A cold wind sets across the sea,     A travelling ray of sunlight mocks     The shadow on the heart of me.