the harrow

The Sirens

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© 1999 Erin Daughtrey
All rights reserved.

Oh, for the Sirens—the alluring fire!
Of words of persuasion on words of desire.
Draw them in swiftly, lift them up higher
To be dashed on the rocks below!

Cunning Odysseus, fight by the hour;
The Sirens will call you and yield not their power.
Hear them sing sweetly, break the mast tow'ring
To be dashed on the rocks below!

The Sirens will hold you in Hypnos's arms.
The Sirens so lovely will leave you disarmed.
Listen so close, love, don't feel the alarm,
And be dashed on the rocks below!

In name of the Sirens the maelstrom is fickle—
The pounding of surf is naught but a trickle.
They come by the dozens, now lost in the riddle,
To be dashed on the rocks below!

Oh, for the Sirens—those whimsic desirings!—
That break us on the rocks below!

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