Unnatural
he became,
up at all hours
walking the main deck
in gales & in the calm
watching the ripples,
the birds above the ocean
for any sign of recompense.

He burned the midnight oil,
toiled with the trivial,
fought with himself
for dominance.

He had become mad,
blocking out reality
because the white fish
had stolen his leg
& in the process,
hell came knocking
to sink his ship
& to break
his black heart.