back to John Masefield

“Roadways” by John Masefield 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (1 Jun 1878 – 12 May 1967)
One road leads to London,
One road runs to Wales,
My road leads me seawards
To the white dipping sails.
​
One road leads to the river,
As it goes singing slow;
My road leads to shipping,
Where the bronzed sailors go.
​
Leads me, lures me, calls me
To salt green tossing sea;
A road without earth’s road-dust
Is the right road for me.
​
A wet road heaving, shining,
And wild with seagulls’ cries,
A mad salt sea-wind blowing
The salt spray in my eyes.
​
My road calls me, lures me
West, east, south, and north;
Most roads lead men homewards,
My road leads me forth
​
To add more miles to the tally
Of grey miles left behind,
In quest of that one beauty
God put me here to find.