TO THE SEA

O sea, sea,
how strong that drink you brew!
Your great cold
is holy purification clear.
Your light-embrace
is cool health for human children, for us who love healing.

For you, sea,
beaming soft, roaring hard
false, and faithful always,
are a beautiful simile for beautiful things:
for the bold heart's salt-foamed way in the world.

For more information, please visit the website of David McDuff and his own pages with the translations.