The sailorman’s child
And the girl of the witch–
They can’t be defiled
By touching pitch.
The sailorman’s son
Had a ship for a nursery;
The other one
Was baptised by sorcery.
Although he’s shipped
To the Persian Gulf, her
Body’s been dipped
In burning sulphur.
(Elinor Wylie)
More Poetry from Elinor Wylie:
- King's Ransom (Elinor Wylie Poems)
- Sonnet X (Elinor Wylie Poems)
- XVII (Elinor Wylie Poems)
- Parting Gift (Elinor Wylie Poems)
- Preference (Elinor Wylie Poems)
- The Little Clock (Elinor Wylie Poems)