i have never seen a blacker night
than the night that i stood at the edge
of the boardwalk in one of those
sleepy new england coastal towns
i peered out into the freezing darkness
expecting to see lights up and down
the harbor but there were none
that wanted to be found
it was winter
the time when things should be dying
or at least on their way out the door
and there was not a soul walking about
only a solitary fishing boat was moored
with its blinding headlights on
but no one sat in the captain’s chair
for a moment i wondered what it would be like
to steer out that metal monstrosity
into the absolute darkness and solitude
that is the sea
so vast and unforgiving and wild
where fair weather can turn to **** on a dime
where the waves can swallow a man whole
all in terrible silence
for a moment i wondered what it would be like
to be that man trapped beneath the surface
of the blackest water without a lifeline
but then i remembered
i dont have to be underwater to drown
so i put out my cigarette
got in my car
and drove home