The low profile of the mainland / Across Vineyard Sound / Swims into focus.
The low profile of the mainland
Across Vineyard Sound
Swims into focus.
The air loses its balm.
Eating breakfast,
Vacationers pay attention
To news from the nation.
In days that follow,
Acts once open-ended—
A fisherman’s cast and reel,
The unfurling of a sail—
Contract to numbers:
Three more dives
From the rock jetty,
Another tack
Past the channel marker,
Once more to the herring creek.
Marking each moment,
I have learned
How to leave.
No more the abrupt arrival
At the ferry’s iron railing,
The gull’s veer
From the dock,
The cold grip of the current
Bearing me off-island.
Now I have learned
How to stay.
Still I can’t deny
The season’s change.
The tides reverse, pulling me
Toward a winter life.
Comments
I love it, Holly --
Dean Crawford Williamstown, MAI love it, Holly -- particularly the way that you offer "how to leave" before "how to stay." Fond greetings to you both!
Holly’s poem captures Labor
Bill Sterling Wayland, MAHolly’s poem captures Labor Day Weekend fleeting thoughts like herbal essence in olive oil.
Beautifully expressed , Holly
Lydia DeNecochea SacramentoBeautifully expressed , Holly. The Amazing Blanco Basin awaits your words. Saludos to you and Frank
I can feel it.
John Scandizzo San JoseI can feel it.
I love it, too, Holly.
Karen Robertson PoughkeepsieI love it, too, Holly. Thank Frank for sending it.
I remembered the ferry's iron railing--and the counting of the last things.
Thank you,
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