The flashing beam of the holy eye

Commanding the coast

Sweeps the sea and cries with Light:

'Be cautious, O Traveller!

The snarling waves about your prow

Are not so great a threat

As the devil’s teeth

Gnashing against my feet!

 

Steer wide. Steer strongly.

Keep your charted course

Far from the briny jaws

Howling for meat upon my fierce rocks.

Wipe the spray from your eyes

And look again – for one second keenly.

See me! See me! I am old and feeble

But I'm here. I'm here!'

 

Cynthia Buell Thomas 1996