in blue water
in blue water
a new post after a year in country salt water scents abound
awake fresh mornings in relief yet deep in the ship’s bowels
hitting the crew mess line hungry of good smells all around
memories of nightmare in grief lost in the distant jet howls
as constant engine rumbles permeates each waking moment
dull comforting and unending signal breaths and heartbeats
in the laundry dryers tumble amidst washers stainless glint
the mundane is now blending into a place where time meets
smoke pot in an empty paint locker scents of old turpentine
roving work gangs avert their eyes to the smell plainly clear
to be sure they have no complaint set their smiles serpentine
to do otherwise would be lies as they swill their secret beer
a few minutes on the catwalk savor the blue water far below
listening to the slow ticking clock telling that it’s time to go