The Tenth Wave

The warm south-west comes fluttering up the bay,
     Striping with shade the Titan's shining fell;
     Lithely o'er buried reefs the glossy swell
Rolls like a tigress with her cubs at play;
The little waves that tumble where they may
     With a low growl their mimic wrath to tell.
     The rocking fisher in his cedarn shell
Smiles on their sport, as void of care as they.
     Wave after wave goes by with measured swing,
Unbroken, slow, and with an inner hum,
     Till like the tigress in her deadly spring,
With a fierce growl the bursting waters come;
     Deep yawns through granite teeth the abyss's throat,
Then gnash the horrible jaws on shattered man and boat!