Wrecked Armada, in Purple

By Clara Blair

By the hundreds
They lie on the beach,
Dead or dying, but
Still a potent enemy.

Random tide has
Left them helpless
Except for the sting
Shunned even by the gulls.

Glorious purple helmets,
More ancient than any
Seafaring warrior's
Dreaded bark are they.

Dazzling amethyst -
Rubies and sapphires
Move within the
Ones that still live.

Some mad alchemist
Has made jewels of jelly
And strewn them on the sand:
Portuguese Man-of-War.

© 2002 Clara Blair