Three Sisters stand at the Center of the Seas Deaf to the Wind, unmoved by the Breeze Bloodless Arms stretched out behind Long strong Fingers intertwined Rock beneath them saved from sinking By strong Desire, a Trick of Thinking Taught long ago by a Father, dear Who sailed away, untouched by Care To seek a Dowry both fine and fair Which he would gift to the worthy Men His beloved Daughters chose to wed No Lover lures them, nor Sailor sways, No charmant Suitor will persuade Nor Ever lead these Maids astray They wait, they watch, they look for Signs, Other Pleasures out of Mind As ever-longer Days contrive To test their Fealty. Hearts alive And coursing strong, They strain for Strands of his oft-heard Song "My Daughters three When will it be That I at last Come Home to thee" The Morn he left, the Autumn'd come The Cold was nigh, Summer'd spun Her Gold all out. But Tide was fair Though crisp, the Air Three Gifts he sought, to please his Dears He smiled as he felt the Wind abate Prepared to sail to meet his Fate And took their Oath that they would wait For his Return, before they made Their spousal Vows. Possess'd of Will as knurled as Oak They have unfurled a steely Cloak That wears as Iron Only his Voice, his Face, his Name Will free them from this filial Chain Only his Return to them Shall loose them, set them free again A Father's Oath, "I will return" Has kept them so, their Faces turned To Depths of Sea when Night cries Loud And dark Caresses do enshroud The Forms of Mind, Heart, Soul; Three faithful, watching, hoping, hold To each other, wait for his Word: He promised them a Sign by Bird To tell of his Return On this, their hundredth Night of Silence The eldest Sister dreams: cold Islands, And there, a Ship, she's sinking fast Their Father in the icy Grasp Of Northern Seas She shuddered as the Surface froze The slowing Ocean drew him close As many Widows had been made In Northern Seas One final Omen did she see Before the Scry was lost at Sea: A Blackbird rose above the Frost; It called three times, to count the Cost O'er Northern Seas The other Sisters then awoke The Eldest swooned; their Watch was broke Their Necks they bent Their Hearts were rent In heavy Sorrow Heaven, split 'twixt Night and Day Wavered, as if held in Sway The Moon was high, The Sun was nigh, And so woke the Morrow: A Blackbird rose above the Dawn They knew at once that he was gone "Father!" keened the First; The Crow circled 'round. "Father!" cried the Second; The Bird continued down. "Father!" wept the Third; It dropt a Sprig of Pine. The Daughters bent to catch the branch, But lost it to the Brine