101 Poems, Number 77

Favorite Poems Throughout My Life

77: “Carry Her Over the Water,” 1939(?), by W. H. Auden (1907–73)

“Carry her over the water”—these

Compose the line—refreshing breeze!—

That start this Auden work of art—

A work that I (to do my part)

Have memorized. I’m not sure why

I learned these lines: It seems that I

Had come across them—not sure where?—

Soon needed them—as we need air.

The words are odd—no doubt of that.

He was a verbal acrobat—

Could craft his images—some weird—

But they enlighten. I’ve not feared

Them, no, and I admire the way

He crafts them, for they help him say

What sometimes just cannot be said.

A poem pierces—arrowhead.

Link to poem.