The Siren Poem by Catherine Habbie

Siren sat on a jutting rock
For all the world to see
From her lips ensued a deep pitched wail
That sank every ship that sailed

Ulysses knew the perils of the deep blue sea
He had himself secured in a tight lock
Ears unplugged but arms splayed
He had to hear her, come rain or hail

So the brave man came to hear Siren sing
And she kept singing sadder paeans with no inkling
If only she knew what hopes the day could bring
She would have lit up as a celestial being

Instead she sang her mournful tunes
Believing herself alone on the solitary dunes
While all along unseen Ulysses watched
And had his soul severely scorched

Said his men her song is death
It will suck life with every breath
Cover your innocent ear
For she is the very Chimera we fear

So Ulysses paid no heed
Onward he directed his water steed
He was a brave man
But when she sang, far, far away he ran.