|
Marriage Lines |
She would have made
a fine ship's carpenter,
reliable, discreet,
confined for months in clamped
uncompromising stench
on long-haul voyages
to other worlds.
Main task, use eyes,
ears, feel, experience
to monitor
those vital signs,
the slow heartbeat
of breathing hull,
rudder and mast.
Fearful to rock the boat,
she bends before
her demon captain's will,
splicing repairs,
re-caulking planks,
treading sea shells
to stave disaster off.
Gentled but unfulfilled
(No fiction this),
she feigns desire,
feels duty-bound,
submission, flattery,
respect. So who are you
to criticise?
copyright 2008
Peter
Branson |
