Cradles

Sully Prudhomme

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Along the quay, the great ships,
that ride the swell in silence,
take no notice of the cradles.
that the hands of the women rock.

But the day of farewells will come,
when the women must weep,
and curious men are tempted
towards the horizons that lure them!

And that day the great ships,
sailing away from the diminishing port,
feel their bulk held back
by the spirits of the distant cradles.

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Comments3
  • brandieluxton3

    I remember reading "Cradles" when I was younger, and it's still as touching and thought-provoking as ever. The powerful imagery of great ships juxtaposed with cradles continues to evoke a sense of melancholy and beauty mixed together. A timeless piece!

    • geoffreyb83

      So deep! Who's it supposed to be about?

      • ethelguenther47

        Sully Prudhomme really nailed it with this one. Makes you think about how the lure of the unknown can be stronger than the bonds of home. Love the line about the spirits of the distant cradles holding back the departing ships. Real deep stuff.