Milner Place
The Ocean Idle As A Panting Dog
the sun amazing all the blossoms of the sea
with colours so profound, so deep no sapphire
set in ormolu could match; a wind gentle
as eiders’ down stroking the bellies of the sails
but, yesterday, it ripped the ratlines
from the shrouds, sprung the main gaff,
tore chainplates from the planking so
deadeyes flew above the deck like cannon-balls,
strained all the fastenings of the hull,
scoured out the devil’s caulking
all along from stem to stern,
drove the sheet anchor from its bed
carried away the bower, drowned
the harsh clanking of the pumps,
washed out the galley fires,
whitened the tanned faces of the crew.
But now the beast is dozing
like the clouds, soughing a lullaby,
bluffing the salt-scarred schooner
with a snatch of song.
Page(s) 17
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