The Moon, The old roué, Watches with desire The Earth below. The Ocean, Prudish maid, Hides her breasts, Feverishly,— But the winds, laughing, Blow off incessantly Her flimsy draperies. The Moon, A golden hoop, Rolls unsteadily Upon the ragged edges Of the shivering clouds. The Ocean, Mischievous girl, Runs after— Her hands raised up To catch it, And shouts and laughs In utter merriment. The Moon The painted mountebank Of the infinite circus, Grins and bows To his celestial audience. The Ocean, A clumsy bear Sways and dances To the bagpipes Of the merry winds. The Moon, The hoary recluse, Gazes calmly Across eternity, And meditates On Death. The Ocean, The Earth's demagogue, Silver-tongued, Harangues the winds, Persuading them To blow across the Moon And blind him. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A POET'S FANCIES: 8. THE MODERN POET; A SONG OF DERIVATIONS by ALICE MEYNELL MAUBERLEY: 5. MEDALLION by EZRA POUND THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 83. BARREN SPRING by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI IDYLLS OF THE KING: PELLEAS AND ETTARRE by ALFRED TENNYSON IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 23 by ALFRED TENNYSON THE SHIPS by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH VULTURES by GHALIB IBN RIBAH AL-HAJJAM THE ARGONAUTS (ARGONAUTICA): THE SAILING OF THE ARGO by APOLLONIUS RHODIUS |