Sunburnt Boys

Down on the Lumbee river                 Where the eddies ripple cool              Your boat, I know, glides stealthily                 About some shady pool.              The summer's heats have lulled asleep                 The fish-hawk's chattering noise,              And all the swamp lies hushed about                 You sunburnt boys.              You see the minnow's waves that rock                 The cradled lily leaves.              From a far field some farmer's song,                 Singing among his sheaves,              Comes mellow to you where you sit,                 Each man with boatman's poise,              There, in the shimmering water lights,                 You sunburnt boys.              I know your haunts:    each gnarly bole                 That guards the waterside,              Each tuft of flags and rushes where                 The river reptiles hide,              Each dimpling nook wherein the bass                 His eager life employs              Until he dies--the captive of                 You sunburnt boys.              You will not--will you?--soon forget                 When I was one of you,              Nor love me less that time has borne                 My craft to currents new;              Nor shall I ever cease to share                 Your hardships and your joys,              Robust, rough-spoken, gentle-hearted                 Sunburnt boys!