IT DOESN’T SMELL AS MUCH UP HERE AS IT DOES DOWN THERE:

Sleepers,
Open mouthed,
Crook their necks to rest,
Escape this arduous journey,

Inflatable horseshoes cling to necks,
Ears hide in song,

Hold onto the handrails,
Covered in butterfly silk,
Wretched,
Sheltering pathetic,
From a bitter chill,

Smack hand,
Drop down,
Curve away,
A single button cuts the wake of a bigger thing,

Smokers gather,
Where dogs are tethered,
Blown by wind,
As flags,
Describe circles,
Where helicopters dip to rescue,
Deliver us from the backs of sinking ships,

Cover me up,
Let me sleep,
I’m not ready yet

 

(K)