Eleanor, 03-June 21 On The Berengaria

June 21

CROSSING THE ATLANTIC ON THE BERENGARIA

"It may be wonderful in its way"
I said, "But he who has known the Bay
With its ferries tooting back and forth
With ships from the orient, ships from the north,
And the island of shame which forever has
Fog-robes of repentance, Alcatraz,
Where summer breezes are always cool
He cannot feel like Ernest Pool

No, New York harbor does not rate
With one who has known the Golden Gate.
So I watched, without a thrill or a tear
The ship move off from the fading pier,
I watched no more; I turned to go
But paused for a drink ere I went below,
When I heard a voice behind say "See!
We are passing the Statue of Liberty."
Oh, radiant allegorical light
Of beauty that pierces through the night!
San Francisco Bay, you have no such sight!

The dining room's good and the stateroom will do,
And the people on board are all right
On deck it is fun, lying out in the sun,
But I've found, oh I've found it tonight!

The social hall's cozy and comfortable, too,
And the steward serves afternoon tea.
In the smoker they play bridge all through the day,
But I've found what appeals most to me.

The maids are all friendly and courteous, too,
And the stewards the best to be found
And the officers bright in immaculate white,
But I've found where the wheels go around.

Oh, some like to list to the thresh of the foam,
Or the breeze swooping down from the blue,
And some find most sweet the jazz-players beat,
But I'll list to the churn of the screw.

Some like playing shuffleboard hour and hour,
And some tossing quoits on the deck,
And tennis is fine, but I'll take for mine
The room that smells like Benson Teak.