Eveline

Her distress awoke a nausea in her body
and she kept moving her lips in
silent fervent prayer.
A bell clanged upon her heart.
She felt him seize her hand:
“Come!”
All the seas of the world tumbled about her heart.
He was drawing her into them: he would drown her.
She gripped with both hands at the iron railing.
“Come!”
No! No! No! It was impossible.
Her hands clutched the iron in frenzy.
Amid the seas she sent a cry of anguish!
“Eveline! Evvy!”
He rushed beyond the barrier and called to her to follow.
He was shouted at to go on but he still called to her.
She set her white face to him, passive, like a helpless animal.
Her eyes gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition.