Taking the Evening Ferry
by Phil Slattery
Abstractions
these islands
these cold, twilight islands
slumbering black in the August evening
sharp pine-edged spines
dusky sawteeth
casting glistening shadows on steel blue water
pale blue overhead fading toward the West
gold glowing slivers over the sun's resting place
noisy warmth of the ferry deck
makes me appreciate being inside and yet
the biting wind crossing the bow somehow beckons
walking out
brisk falling night makes me appreciate solitude
enlivens the senses
wrapped in the penetrating darkness
I long for the comfort of the cabin
soon we will dock
then I can sleep
and remember the chill night and the cabin
from between my sheets