Different Tacks

The mainsail halyard slaps against the mast.
The dinghy gently taps the sailboat's side.
The wind blows just enough to fill the sails.
In my head the sun will never set.


The dinghy gently taps the sailboat's side,
Beside me you pull the needle through the bitter end.
In my head the sun will never set
and I decipher roscharchs in the clouds.

Beside me you pull the needle through the bitter end
preparing to reef the main in case of storm
and I decipher roscharchs in the clouds,
steady slick clinks setting me adrift.

Preparing to reef the main in case of storm,
you see swells ahead, slashing rain, stiff winds.
Steady slick clinks are setting me adrift.
I watch your hand move across the line.

You see swells ahead, slashing rain, stiff winds.
You check the sump pump, test the anchors pull.
I watch your hand move across the line.
The mainsail halyard slaps against the mast.

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