**

Age.
I know not how others measure it
but my books suggest that I am,
well, how do you say it-
old.
I’ll steer one more maiden into
her dock
and go home, myself
to warm socks and steady ground.

62.
26.
I’ve spent the backwards reading of
my age
on ships
with stars on flags and vessels too fast
for mankind.
Just a few more days, I say
then no more miles
only garden
no more waves
only blankets
and I will age

Yes,
age.