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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...COVERING WINGS by KATHERINE MANSFIELD VICARIOUS ATONEMENT by RICHARD ALDINGTON CONTRA MORTEM: THE GREAT DEATH by HAYDEN CARRUTH BATTLE OF BRITAIN by CECIL DAY LEWIS A MAN'S VOCATION IS NOBODY'S BUSINESS by JAMES GALVIN |