M a n a c l e s

like a brides hips
the solid draw rises
and the smooth seas
conscript their jaw mouth
rip
in frothing gunwhale dance
or the stolid placid hypnotic
chance

and the heel of tides
draw the folly of mans design
acoss her play
for keeps

she is beautiful and strong
at her thinnest the weakest
water like a mermaiden song
is more then a forge or iron strong

betwixt between
a prayer said
an offering made
while the boilers make steam
the sailors pull
the canvasse lines
and the oarsman row