and a star to steer her by

I've never posted this poem before, because every time I think about posting this poem, the Kris Delmhorst song starts playing in my head. It's a lovely song, and there is a really wonderful Slings and Arrows vid by heresluck to the song, which also starts playing in my head every time I think about this poem. But I also love the poem, so here's to you, John Masefield.

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again to the vagrant gypsy life.
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

—John Masefield (1878-1967), "Sea Fever," from Salt-Water Ballads, 1902.