But it was bigger than death， just as it was bigger than life.

    He tried talking to the sea

    But his brain shuttered and his eyes winced¹ from it as from open flame.

    He tried sympathy for the sea

    But it shouldered him off - as a dead thing shoulders you off.

    He tried hating the sea

    But instantly felt like a scrutty dry rabbit-dropping on the windy cliff.

    He tried just being in the same world as the sea

    But his lungs were not deep enough

    And his cheery blood banged off it

    Like a water-drop off a hot stove.

    Finally

    He turned his back and he marched away from the sea

    As a crucified man cannot move.