Dark Tide Poem by Barry Middleton

a restless tide is pounding at our shore
and tinged with blood adrift with fear
the moonless sky is dark

our doors are bolted to the frightened night
our shutters locked and curtains drawn
and still we hear the waves

what comes of those who fear the water's edge
who fear what waits beyond the sea
the hiss of far off lands

what comes but war where innocence must die
our sons and daughters bleed for dreams
to make the tide recede

the fateful moon will pull their bodies home
the waves are like the sound of death
the tide runs to and fro