The Sea Rolls and Rules

The Sea Rolls and Rules Ragged, slategrey skies Gulls brave the battery of winds Mariners pensive in storm-tossed ships Cut through the waves with billowed sails. In the sanctity of the ocean's deep The most ancient things of this world do sleep; In the crushing cold of the muddy seafloor Lie eternity's treasures, to rise nevermore. Far above, life goes on in the swell of the tide, The Mother of All tosses her children about Sings them to sleep on her bosom wide As they swim or shudder, gambol, shout. The rhythm of life beneath the waves Flows on and on in this womb and grave; This whole beauteous Earth sprang from stormy seas; From the deep dark below, All her children flee.