Poetry Archives

Look deeper yet: mark ’midst the wave-blurred mass,
  In lines distinct, in colors clear defined,
  The typic groups and figures of mankind.
Behold within the cool and liquid glass
Bright child-folk sporting with smooth yellow shells,
  Astride of dolphins, leaping up to kiss
  Fair mother-faces.  From the vast abyss
How joyously their thought-free laughter wells!
  Lulled by the overwhelming water’s sound,
And some make mouths at dragons, undismayed.
  Oh dauntless innocence!  The gulfs profound
Reecho strangely with their ringing glee,
And with wise mermaids’ plaintive melody.