They fly over like flagships of the devil
with messages between the dead.
Fighting to keep a straight line
they bring news to Ulysses,
then back again to Lethe
with his letters for the boatman.
Only the cormorant is allowed into hell.
That's why he stands with his wings out
on an unsheltered rock
imploring the heavens
to forgive him for all
that he's seen and heard.
