Sea Lullaby

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 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.

- Elinor Wylie