Christopher Morley

Here you will find the Poem The Old Swimmer of poet Christopher Morley

The Old Swimmer

I OFTEN wander on the beach 
Where once, so brown of limb, 
The biting air, the roaring surf 
Summoned me to swim.

I see my old abundant youth 
Whee combers lean and spill, 
And though I taste the foam no more 
Other swimmers will.

Oh, good exultant strength to meet 
The arching wall of green, 
To break the crystal, swirl, emerge 
Dripping, taut, and clean.

To climb the moving hilly blue, 
To dive in ecstasy 
And feel the salty chill embrace 
Arm and rib and knee.

What brave and vanished laughter then 
And tingling thighs to run, 
What warm and comfortable sands 
Dreaming in the sun.

The crumbling water spreads in snow, 
The surf is hissing still, 
And though I kiss the salt no more, 
Other swimmers will.