cannot catch the lanterns aflame  
the oil reeking, creases in the folds
the droning silence of deserted verses
the smoke piling from smothering affection

gone fragile, aboard a sailing boat
it cruises slowly going under
and as the salty kisses whisk the sails
the frothy waters, it leaves a white trail

twice I turned my back to the shore
where could I possibly go?
still as the compass spins encrusted upon frigid morals
gripping the ropes so the boat can stay afloat

thinking I had the steering in pins
thought I could set sail to the settling murmur
thought I could find the words to speak with,
the light retraced, now a surface of mirrors  

slowly the water ripples in coiling gleams
leading me on into a frightening wonder
lost at sea like a discarded ice berg
a lone passage, a nonexistent oar, I wonder