Le Feu-Follet, By John Doucet

In the earth’s gravid bed

A small unchristened head

In laced white linen dressed

Calm, unsimpering rests.

Fleshless ire vapors free,

Low floats over night sea

With silent vexing finds

Sleepless fishermen’s minds

Earthly play ended fast.

A vigorous spirit lasts

And unlanguishing vents

In pure malevolence.

From “Uncommonplace: An Anthology of Contemporary Louisana Poets,” edited by Ann Brewster Dobie (Louisana State University Press: 256 pp., $19.95 paper)