Poem by Elinor Wylie

Sea Lullaby

The old moon is tarnished 
With smoke of the flood, 
The dead leaves are varnished 
With colour like blood. 

A treacherous smiler 
With teeth white as milk, 
A savage beguiler 
In sheathings of silk 

The sea creeps to pillage, 
She leaps on her prey; 
A child of the village 
Was murdered today. 

She came up to meet him 
In a smooth golden cloak, 
She choked him and beat him 
to death, for a joke. 

Her bright locks were tangled, 
She shouted for joy 
With one hand she strangled 
A strong little boy. 

Now in silence she lingers 
Beside him all night 
To wash her long fingers 
In silvery light.

1. Upon Your Heart, Which Is.the Heart of All
2. One Person
3. Poor Earth
4. Silver Filigree
5. The Broken Man

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