Yesterday the world was all one whirling white sky, sea and shore-line blurred, distinctions and direction lost. But now, although the ice still clings upon the hilltops where the wind blows bitter,     there's sun upon the dunes and a sky-lark rises singing.   This morning when the tide withdrew the rocks stood dark and naked, drowning and disaster jaggedly revealed. But now the waves have covered them the surface barely ruffled by their presence, sun-light rippling and the boats away while sea-birds dive and cry.   I have my own cold peaks             and dangerous crags my own bleak winter and memories of shipwreck toll in warning, but in me still thrusts life             that will not take denial a spring indomitable as this.   I may as well leave harbour.   Previous poem Next poem