The Chasms

They split the rocks, these giant cracks, as though

Atlas or Vulcan had with irate hand

When earth was young and brittle, newly set,

Brought down their hammer with a mighty blow

Upon this southern nipple of the land

In some colossal rage men now forget.

Crevices gape like cruel jaws to show

Black depths, defying men to understand

What forces huge and hostile, linger yet

Far down in regions fabulous below.

So passions smould’ring deep within the heart

And quite unapprehended, under press

Can burst from man’s control in violent stress

And break the surface with disastrous art.

 

Weekly Times     20.5.60