new rope coiled around my torso hoist the sail and trust our
future to the raging sea
 miles from land seabirds squawk above the mainsail-- good winds, calm
seas lightning on the horizon
sting rays astern our captain orders cider for his crew-- nothing
sweetens the taste of salt pork and cornmeal
drunken sailors haul the stubborn anchor blown off course she lurches to
danger on the reef
broken timbers wash onto the shore even this iron spike has rusted into
splinters
deafening birdcalls echo across the bay conversations all around me none
I can understand
petrels gulls, a cormorant on the sand flats the only footprint with
five toes is mine
dry starfish tumbled in old weed grant my wish-why must I wait for
evening to throw it to the sky?