Old Age's Ship & Crafty Death's

by Walt Whitman · 1891-1892
Published 01/07/1891

FROM east and west across the horizon's edge,

Two mighty masterful vessels sailers steal upon us:

But we'll make race a-time upon the seas—a battle-contest yet! bear lively there!

(Our joys of strife and derring-do to the last!)

Put on the old ship all her power to-day!

Crowd top-sail, top-gallant and royal studding-sails,

Out challenge and defiance—flags and flaunting pennants added,

As we take to the open—take to the deepest, freest waters.

#aging #defiance #mortality #sea metaphor #walt whitman

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