Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DRIFTWOOD, by MINA SHAFER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DRIFTWOOD, by                    
First Line: This wood that's warped and silver gray
Last Line: His feathered plume goes up in smoke.
Subject(s): Driftwood


This wood that's warped and silver gray,
As salvage came to me today.
One spar still held a hempen rope
Tied in a noose (all end to hope.)
Within my shack close to the shore
The flames leap high... I bar the door
To keep with me the wraiths who came
Afloat today to play a game.
They dance and pirouette in glee
As savage yarns they spin for me.
The figures whirl... now blue... now gold...
With funny tricks my gaze they hold.
As on the planks of fire they slip,
They tell me that their pirate ship
Was sheathed in copper... that is why
These greens with other colors vie.
A phosphorescent eerie glow.
I'm so intent I scarcely know
The play is done... until I hear
The low-voiced bowing buccaneer
With hat in hand. Goodnight... he spoke...
His feathered plume goes up in smoke.





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