Lowry, Malcolm: Iron thoughts sail out at evening
Iron thoughts sail out at evening (English)Iron thoughts sail out at the evening on iron ships; They move hushed as far lights while twelve footers Dive at anchor as the ferry sputters And spins like a round top, in the tide rips, Its rooster voice half muted by choked pipes Plumed with steam. The ship passes. The cutters Fall away. Bells strike. The ferry utters A last white phrase; and human lips, A last black one, heavy with welcome To loss. Thoughts leave the pitiless city, Yet ships themselves are iron and have no pity; While men have hearts and sides that strain and rust. Iron thoughts sail from the iron cities in the dust, Yet soft as doves the thoughts that fly back home.
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