Spring Thing - Two sonnets by Carolyn Magruder

Here are two sonnets by Carolyn Magruder, to give you an idea of her style.

Some things, once said, can never be unsaid,
So I'll incarnadine the tumbling wave
To shame the sunset with its brilliant red,
And none go free, from officer to slave.
The moon has lent the grip of lunacy
To keep my crew intent upon the task,
Forgoing slumber and debauchery
In favor of whatever deed I ask.
The sails are taut with Vengeance's own wind,
Our blades are honed by laughing Nemesis.
When sanity and rum alike have thinned,
My words are whips, and what I cry is this:
"Steady, lads! We'll smash them as we come!
I swear they'll take back what they called me mum."

My love has slept an hour-- no, maybe two,
And I sit by him, whistling for the moon.
Beside, a dolphin splashes, sleek and true,
And all the ocean trembles with his croon.
A threnody so sad could summon tears,
But I'm not scared with my true love on board.
His brilliant smile reproaches all my fears,
And those unfazed meet swiftly with his sword.
I saw him tumble in the noisy fray,
I think-- I think he must have slipped somehow,
Yes, slipped, when his foes fled, the end of day....
My fingers smooth his placid, boyish brow.
Your song lies, dolphin! I've no cause to weep!
These cuts will heal. Till then... I'll let him sleep.