Across the seas to a southern isle
I sailed long ago, once on a while.
There I found me a maiden bright and fair
And I played with the coils of her gleaming hair.
I kissed her long and swore to be true
And felt that I never the day would rue.
They called her giraffe, but believe me my friend,
She was more like a crocodile to me at the end.
But I loved her then and I love her now
E’en when the thunderclouds sit on her brow.
I’d kiss her right now if she’d say I could,
But I’m not at all sure right now that she would.
RAE, 1957