Mrtva luka (DEAD PORT by Dobrisa Cesaric. translated by Davor Juricic)

This I know: there is a dead port
That whoever might prowl
Will hear the morning owl
And see a tired boat.

There, ships forever dream
Of how great sailing would be
But their anchors rest keen
In shallows of the sea.

They look at happiness with zeal,
But are afraid to go past.
They rig colour flags on the mast
- And are still.

Croatian version at http://www.ezgeta.com/mrtva.html

One of my favs!