Edna St. Vincent Millay — Inland

People that build their houses inland,          People that buy a plot of ground Shaped like a house, and build a house there,          Far from the sea-board, far from the sound Of water sucking the hollow ledges,          Tons of water striking the shore,— What do they long for, as I long for          One salt smell of the sea once more? People the waves have not awakened,          Spanking the boats at the harbor's head, What do they long for, as I long for,—          Starting up in my inland bed, Beating the narrow walls, and finding          Neither a window nor a door, Screaming to God for death by drowning,—          One salt taste of the sea once more?