The Nereid, by Clark Ashton Smith

The Nereid

Her face the sinking stars desire;
Unto her place the slow deeps bring
Shadow of errant winds that wing
O'er barren gulfs of foam and fire.   Her beauty is the light of pearls.
All stars and dreams and sunsets die
To make the fluctuant glooms that lie
About her; and low noonlight swirls   Down ocean's firmamental deep,
To weave for her who glimmers there
Elusive visions, vague and fair;
And night is as a dreamless sleep:   She has not known the night's unrest,
Nor the white curse of clearer day;
The tremors of the tempest play
Like slow delight about her breast.   Serene, an immanence of fire,
She dwells forever, ocean-thralled,
Soul of the sea's vast emerald;
Her face the sinking stars desire.

poems.one - Clark Ashton Smith

Clark Ashton Smith