C. Fox Smith

C. Fox Smith was an English poet born in 1882 and died in 1954. Her poetry is known for its focus on maritime themes, sailors, and life at sea. Biography ↓More ↓

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C. Fox Smith

The Green Thicket

All in a green thicket I heard a bird sing, And blithe though his song was it made the tears spring, To hear the bird sing as he swung on his spray, All in a green thicket at break of the day. All in a green thicket his song he did pour That told of the Springs that shall come nevermore, That sang of sweet blossoms, now faded and dry. All in a green thicket in Aprils gone by. All in a green thicket that morning in Spring, I smelt the sharp scent of each young growing thing, I smelt the sweet herbage all drowned with the dew. And the time that's gone from me was with me anew. All in a green thicket at break of the day It was like the dear voice of a friend far away,

C. Fox Smith

Traveller's Rest

When you are tired of the long road and the open sky, I wish it may be my door that you're passing by : I wish it may be my hearth where you will sit down And tell your tales of the land and sea and the strange far town. Oh, come you in from eastward or come you from the west, Here's good cheer to greet you and welcome of the best: Oh come you with your pockets full or come you home poor. Here's a place by the fireside and an open door. You'll tell me where you were since, and the things you've seen Up and down the wide world where so long you've been, — All the time that I've been here and you far away, — And then awhile be silent, as good friends may. And then awhile listen to the wind and rain,

Shipmate Sorrow

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Shipmate Sorrow

I WAS shipmate with Sorrow in a day gone by; We shared wheel and look-out, old Sorrow and I; Good times and bad times, foul weather and fair, The old grey face of him was always there. There was never chanty raised there, never song I heard. But his voice would be in it like a crying bird ; I was dull in the dog watches, when the laugh went free. Because of old Sorrow sitting down by me. I thought I could lose him in the stir and change Of bright, wicked cities, all sunlit and strange ; There came a hand at my elbow and a voice in my ear — It was old patient Sorrow saying: "Lad, I'm here!" And by the bustling harbour, up the busy street. Many a time I see him, many a time I meet The old grey face there of one I used to know — And it's old shipmate Sorrow out of long ago.

And the watch at the halliards they may sing with a will, But the voice I used to hear — oh, I sometimes hear it still. Like a wind in a shroud piping, or a seabird's cry — And it's old Sorrow singing out of times gone by!

Biography

C. Fox Smith was an English poet, born in 1882 and died in 1954. She wrote primarily about the sea, drawing on the traditions of maritime folk song and ballad. Her work often features sailors, ships, docks, and the daily realities of seafaring life. The poems are typically lyrical and formal, using rhythm and rhyme to evoke a sense of nostalgia and respect for the sea. During the early twentieth century, she gained a following among readers who appreciated nautical literature. In addition to poetry, she wrote fiction and children's books, but her reputation rests mainly on her verse. Her contributions to maritime poetry place her among the notable English poets of the sea in that period.

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