Beside the winter sea.

The Winter Sea

Landward the breakers roll and run,

The gray-white ospreys near and flee,

Beneath the long slant winter sun

Beside the winter sea.

With chilly gleam the shingle shines;

The sand with icy umber glows;

Back from the beach the stunted pines

Stand somber in the snows.

The horizon shows a steely glint,–

A line of pickets white patrolled;

The empty zenith holds the hint

Of cruelty and cold.

The north-wind clarions; ’tis a dirge,

A requiem, a threnody,

Keyed to the sad sound of the surge

Beside the winter sea.