JOHN MASEFIELD 1878-1967

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ROADWAYS

One road leads to London,

One road leads to Wales,

My road leads me seawards

To the white dipping sails.

One road leads to the river,

And 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 seagull's 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.

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John Masefield OM the English poet and writer was Poet Laureate of the UK from 1930 until his death. He was the author of the children's novels The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights.

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