Out of the old transgressions of the seas
We come
Encroachments of the land
No vestige of beginning
No prospect of an end

Salt of the blood is ocean bathing still
Each cell of brain and heart
Burning uphill

Out of the tide-slime
Credulous we come
Singing our latest God stabbed and perfumed
Springing the eye of the enemy from the socket
Building a ladder to a broken bird
Meadow and mine to the pocket
Dream to the word

Out of the sluggard butcheries we come
Cowering so at night in a white cold sweat
Staring at the hills and lovers
Yet strange with a fairer courage
To us of all beasts given
To meet with flaking hair and nostril numb

The ice-long dream of peace on earth
Somewhere on earth
Or peace in heaven