PLEASURES OF SAILING
The world is on fire.
To subdue the heat,
I step off the world
in the best way I can—
shipping out across
a turbulent blue sea.
I take a drag of salt air
as if it was a last breath,
and listen to the music
of the waves lapping
on the side of my boat
I forget all words.
Flocks of seagulls,
sentinels of the deep
screech dire warnings.
Purple clouds spit
sheets of snow.
Surging waves rock
my healing sailboat.
It pitches and plunges
in a dance macabre.
Chill winds cut
like a knife.
We come about
and head for port,
with a frozen smile
on the mermaid
perched on the bow.