Out in My Boat
by Timothy Haut

Out in my boat
I watch the distant edge of things
where sea meets sky,
looking for the storm-bearing cloud,
the froth of wind on water,
the change in the air
bringing hope or danger.
I watch, too, that distant edge
when I dare to dream
beyond this changeless world
of fish guts and broken nets,
dare to dream of a world
whole, full, sweet, good,
a world I have never known.
And then you come,
a stranger from the edge
of sea and sky and dreams,
asking if I will lay down
my knotted, slimy nets
to come and follow.
I feel the wind in my hair,
see the pole star flicker,
listen to the weather change
in my heart--
and smile.

(Comments to Tim at timothyhaut@yahoo.com.)
Deep River, CT