 | Along the trail |  |
AN OFF-SHORE VILLANELLE
Over the dun depths where the white shark swims,
Waiting his fated prey with hungry eyes,
Swiftly the light skiff skims.
Waiting his fated prey with hungry eyes,
Swiftly the light skiff skims.
The laughing skipper trims
Seaward his course. What recks he that it lies
Over the dun depths where the white shark swims?
Seaward his course. What recks he that it lies
Over the dun depths where the white shark swims?
He shouts for glee in the mad wind's teeth. Fast dims
The land to a low long cloud-line in the skies.
Swiftly the light skiff skims,
The land to a low long cloud-line in the skies.
Swiftly the light skiff skims,
Brushing the foaming brims
Of the wave-beakers as in mirth it flies
Over the dun depths where the white shark swims.
Of the wave-beakers as in mirth it flies
Over the dun depths where the white shark swims.
What brings the white girl there, about whose limbs
The wet skirts cling, as stormward, petrel-wise,
Swiftly the light skiff skims?
The wet skirts cling, as stormward, petrel-wise,
Swiftly the light skiff skims?
36
The strong sea-devils wreak their cruel whims
In vain. Who heeds the hatred of their cries?
Swiftly the light skiff skims
Over the dun depths where the white shark swims.
In vain. Who heeds the hatred of their cries?
Swiftly the light skiff skims
Over the dun depths where the white shark swims.
1888
| Along the trail | |