Cargoes by John Masefield

I hope it’s OK to share work that’s not my own but this great work has been by favourite for most of my life. The satrong contrast is what first drew me to it…….. I love it.  

Cargoes by John Masefield

Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir,
Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,
With a cargo of ivory, 
and apes and peacocks,
Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.

Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus,
Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores
With a cargo of diamonds, 
Emeralds, amythysts,
Topazes, and cinnamon, and gold moidores.

Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack,
Butting through the Channel in the mad March days,
With a cargo of Tyne coal, 
Road-rails, pig-lead,
Firewood, iron-ware, and cheap tin trays.