in a ship
I slept
upon the harsh Atlantic
mostly alone
except for the captain
a decent enough fellow
though never heading
the ship
toward firm land

I grew to despise
the constant uneasy motion
up down side to side
like drinking
too much alcohol

nevertheless
I found painful contentment
under a full moon
staring at the wild waves
gaping foaming mouths
crashing down
sinking their teeth
into the ship’s hull.

Kerry Ann Herrmann