Ode to the Sea

Chile|Pablo Neruda

Here surrounding the island there is sea

But what sea

It's always overflowing

Says "Yes, " then "No, " then "No" again.

And "No, " says "Yes" in blue,

In sea spray raging,

Says "No" and "No" again.

It can't be still.

It stammers "my name is sea."

It slaps the rocks,

And when they aren't convinced

Strokes them and soaks them

And smolders them with kisses.

With seven green tongues of seven green dogs,

Or seven green tigers, or Seven green seas

Beating its chest, stammering its name.

Oh, sea, this is your name.

Oh, comrade ocean, don't waste time

Or water getting so upset.

Help us instead.

We're meager fishermen,

Men from the shore.

We're hungry and cold

And you're our foe.

Don't beat so hard, don't shout so loud.

Open your green coffers.

Place gifts of silver in our hands.

Give us this day our daily fish.