Sea-Petals

Against the satin nudge of tidal wind

The surf curves up like boughs bereft of root;

The sapphire stems puff blooms of sea that break

In petaled foam, before they dream of fruit.

Walter Evans Kidd

Sea-petals tear like silk, but under them

Gulp water-mouths that gnaw our continent

And suck out beach and stubborn cliff-so slow

We do not see the ocean's dark intent.