Sea-Pictures Ii Poem by William Canton

Enormous sea; immeasurable night!
The shoreless waters, heaving spectral-white,
Vibrate with showers and chains of golden sparks.
The black boat leaves a track of flame. Beneath
Run trails of blazing emerald, where the sharks
Cross and re-cross. In many a starry wreath
Innumerable medusæ shine and float.
Great luminaries, through the blue-green air,
Gleam on the face of one who slowly dies.
All through the night two cavernous glazed eyes
Look blankly upward in a rigid stare.
O Father in heaven, he cannot speak Thy name;
Take pity for the sake of Christ, Thy son!
There is no answer, none. No answer, none.
Crossing, re-crossing underneath the boat,
The lean sharks weave their web of emerald flame.