European Elegies/Autumn (1)/Sea-anguish
19.SEA-ANGUISH
Billow on billow is breakingShrill on the iron shore;Sorely the ocean is shaking,Sweeping the surf before.
Leaden there lies an all-clothingIncubus of despair—Nightmare of formless loathing,Pestilent everywhere.
Waves on the wan, cold shingleBatter their broken breasts,Fall back and meet and mingleMoaning that never rests.
Out of the west comes wailingInconsolable woe,Born out of infinite ailing,Endlessly, always, so.
Winds to the shore come throbbing;Spume sprays the rocks a-lee;Grey waves in sorrow are sobbing;Sobbing the earth and sea.
From the Finnish of Aaro Hellaakoski.