Nets to Catch the Wind

<h3> <SPAN name="tortoise"></SPAN> THE TORTOISE IN ETERNITY<br/> </h3> <p class="poem"> Within my house of patterned horn<br/> I sleep in such a bed<br/> As men may keep before they're born<br/> And after they are dead.<br/></p> <p class="poem"> Sticks and stones may break their bones,<br/> And words may make them bleed;<br/> There is not one of them who owns<br/> An armor to his need.<br/></p> <p class="poem"> Tougher than hide or lozenged bark,<br/> Snow-storm and thunder proof,<br/> And quick with sun, and thick with dark,<br/> Is this my darling roof.<br/></p> <p class="poem"> Men's troubled dreams of death and birth<br/> Pulse mother-o'-pearl to black;<br/> I bear the rainbow bubble Earth<br/> Square on my scornful back.<br/></p> <p><br/><br/><br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />