THE MEANING

By Arthur Stringer

It is n't the Sea that I love,

But the ships

That must dare and endure and defy and survive it!

It is n't the flesh that I love,

But the spirit

That guides and derides and controls and outlives it!

It is n't this earth that I love,

But the mortals

Who give to it meaning and colour and passion and life!

For what is the Sea without ships?

And what is the flesh without soul?

And what is a world without love?