They fly over like flagships of the devil <br /> <br />with messages between the dead. <br /> <br />Fighting to keep a straight line <br /> <br />they bring news to Ulysses, <br /> <br />then back again to Lethe <br /> <br />with his letters for the boatman. <br /> <br />Only the cormorant is allowed into hell. <br /> <br />That's why he stands with his wings out <br /> <br />on an unsheltered rock <br /> <br />imploring the heavens <br /> <br />to forgive him for all <br /> <br />that he's seen and heard.<br /><br />Dermot Healy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cormorants-2/
