English poem
SEA LULLABY
by Elinor Wylie (1885–1928)
The old moon is tarnished With smoke of the flood, The dead leaves are varnished With color 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 to-day.
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.