she climbs
aboard the boat
wearing slippery
new shoes
and grabs
hold of the rail.
it's cold and windy.
he's wearing
a captain's hat.
a black robe
and smoking
a long white
cigarette. two
glasses of
champagne wobble
on the table as
the boat sways
from side to side.
he takes her
hand and leads
her to a small
table on deck.
the galley
is below, he
says. as is
the stateroom,
the library and
the head. she
smiles politely
turning her cheek
as he leans in
to steal a kiss.
you'll get your
sea legs
shortly, he says,
and smiles.
the boat thuds
against the pier,
metal squeals,
pipes bend. a flag
ripples hard
behind her. let
me bring dinner up.
please sit, and
relax, he says,
then goes below.