Her face the sinking stars desire. Unto her place the slow deeps bring Shadow of errant winds that wing O’er sterile gulfs of foam and fire. Her beauty is the light of pearls. All stars and dreams and sunsets die To make the fluctuant glooms that lie Around her, and low noonlight swirls Down ocean’s firmamental deep, To weave for her who glimmers there, Elusive visions, vague and fair; And night is as a dreamless sleep: She has not known the night’s unrest, Nor the white curse of clearer day; The tremors of the tempest play Like slow delight about her breast. Serene, an immanence of fire, She dwells forever, ocean-thralled, Soul of the sea’s vast emerald; Her face the sinking stars desire. |