Lorelei

Over the seawall crawling,
I spy those waters opaque.
I jump, but end, half-falling,
Alone upon the lake.

There in the high reeds singing,
Each sinuous as a snake,
They sing while deftly flinging
Rose petals on the lake.

Their songs tell of love and dreaming,
As they hide within the brake.
Those golden songs keep streaming
Out over the lake.

I watch them swiftly swimming
With the otter and the drake.
I see their green eyes brimming
With love, upon the lake.

My mind's eye is divining
A dream from which none wake.
Their cold pale arms entwining,
Pulling me to the lake.

I watch them so deftly combing
Green hair that will soon take
All lovers, frothing, foaming,
And drown them in the lake.

I watch a dim star sailing,
Like lust that none can slake.
Is it my voice now wailing,
As they drown me in the lake?

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