look at that ship

her flying streamer and her mountain sides,
her towing mast and filling sails with drops
of water hanging to her high built side
glittering like diamonds danging in the sun
yet soon it lessens lessons more and more,
till to a speck reduced it vanishes complete
and to the dangers of the sea exposed.

the sailors look with horror at the waves,
then through the clouds the sun shoots forth his
beams
the clouds disperse and bright blue sky comes forth

the waters sparkle and at distance seen the specks
of other vessels swimming on the expanse

of ocean—some of them do disappear complete

while others, larger coming nearer near

then gliding off each take a different course

and disappear again. When shore afar is seen
and on the vessel drives when landing safe!

she rides at anchor floating on the waves

at length the anchor pulled she drives away

and passes on, about explosion heard

the air around them darkened with the smoke

and steam, a steamboat then had burst

while from among the smoke the vessel quickly goes

and gladly spies homes diff's and home she goes

february or march 1827