Island

I am no man, though men climb on my back
and tangle in my teeth when ships are wrecked.
My shingle-stomached bays have hugged the keels
of lymphads long ago. My tall sea cliffs,

whose ramparts lie concealed in cloud and mist
deep-pierced and bristling with the loud complaint
of gulls, receive the sea's ceaseless assault,
ridden by intrepidity of men. And yet,

I remain un-won. I am what stays
when all of what once was is washed away.

sister sea, o sister sea,
o please bring no more men to me.
sister sea, o sister sea,
o please bring no more men to me,

o sister sea