On silver sand where ripples curled br I counted sea-gulls seven; br Shy, secret screened from all the world, br And innocent as heaven. br They did not of my nearness know, br For dawn was barely bright, br And they were still, like spots of snow br In that pale, pearly light. br br Then one went forth unto the sea br That rippled up in gold, br And there were rubies flashing free br From out its wing-unfold; br It ducked and dived in pretty play, br The while the other six br So gravely sat it seemed that they br Were marvelled by its tricks. br br Then with a sudden flurry each br Down-rushed to join its mate, br And in a flash that sickle beach br With rapture was elate. br With joy they pranked till everyone br Was diamonded with spray, br Then flicked with flame to greet the sun br They rose and winged away. br br But with their going, oh, the surge br Of loss they left in me! br For in my heart was born the urge, br The passion to be free. br And where each dawn with terror brings br Some tale of bale and blight, br Who would not envy silver wings, br The sea-gull in its flight! br br Let me not know the soils of woe br That chain this stricken earth; br Let me forget the fear and fret br That bind men from their birth; br Let me be the one with wind and sun, br With earth and sky and sea. . . . br Oh, let me teach in living speech br God's glory - Liberty.