Barnacles

Barnacles  (1867)  by Sidney Lanier

"Barnacles" (by Sidney Lanier, 1842-81), is a poem that I teach in connection with my lessons on natural history. We have a good specimen of a barnacle, and the children see them on the shells on the coast. The ethical point is invaluable.

    My soul is sailing through the sea,
    But the Past is heavy and hindereth me.
    The Past hath crusted cumbrous shells
    That hold the flesh of cold sea-mells
            About my soul.
    The huge waves wash, the high waves roll,
    Each barnacle clingeth and worketh dole
        And hindereth me from sailing!

    Old Past, let go, and drop i' the sea
    Till fathomless waters cover thee!
    For I am living, but thou art dead;
    Thou drawest back, I strive ahead
            The Day to find.
    Thy shells unbind! Night comes behind;
    I needs must hurry with the wind
        And trim me best for sailing.

This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.