Salt Water Laureate Poem by Joyce Hemsley

In my early school years
A favourite Poet of mine
Was the great John Masefield.
Born in the nineteenth century,
A British seaman and writer of
Salt-Water Ballads...his work
Contained great rhythm and rhyme.
Sea Fever and Cargoes,
Two of his best, will be read
And enjoyed through all time.
He described his deep feelings and
His wishes - may I quote a few lines?
'I long to go down to the seas again
To the lonely sea and the sky.
And all I ask is a tall ship and
A star to steer her by.'

John Masefield died whilst he was
Poet Laureate, nineteen sixty-seven.
And for all the pleasure he gave on earth
May he rest well in the Portals of Heaven.