Glow Worm

Up the snowy spires, where the air is thin as glass Once a year the cold mists clear and you can see inside the earth High in that crystal palace I built a sailing ship Mast and wheel of polished brass, sails of golden silk I piped the engine steam, I set velocitations I consulted dusty maps, set careful calibrations Ever inward ever in, peering through my scope I sailed deep into the hollows, deep inside the earth I traveled a boiling river through streams of mercury Underneath volcanoes and the roots of ancient trees Underneath stalactites I lit phosphorus lamps Sparks snapped into the air and coiled up the mast I watched enormous birds diving through the slate As I stood upon the prow in my oilskin cap and cape At last my anchor caught and echoed through the stone As I climbed an old rope ladder miles through the gloam Then up above I saw it, a glowworm’s little light And I reached out and caught it in the center of the night Tightly in my fist I held that glowing worm Deep down in the hollows I held the center of the world