I dreamed a billion crabs had spun 

 The Sea, a mighty web to run 

 Around the world from sun to sun. 



Their hosts drew out its silken strands 

 At dawn along the rocks and sands 

 And round the world between the lands. 



Here was a regiment in grey 

 That spun the waves that broke 

 In spray on rocky islets far away; 



And there a brightly patterned crew 



That shaped the water that sucked through 



Among the mangroves that I knew; 



'Til spider crabs which I watched creep 

 Along the bottom, went so deep 

 And grew so large, I could but sleep. 



By John T. Nichols. 



