Triolet for Fishermen
Grey fishermen with silent nets
trawl, deep beneath an autumn moon
and from the shore are silhouettes.
Grey fishermen with silent nets
cast long and haul while darkness whets
the needle-points, which fade too soon.
Grey fishermen with silent nets
trawl deep, beneath an autumn moon.
The swollen heartbeat of the tide
compels the fragile rise and fall
of plunder, rolled from side to side.
The swollen heartbeat of the tide,
where charcoal sea and sky collide,
keeps rhythm with the siren's call.
The swollen heartbeat of the tide
compels; the fragile rise and fall.
Ensnared in shawls they reel them home,
the daughters of the sand and shale,
with wine-dark eyes and salt-stained comb.
Ensnared, in shawls they reel them home
these tethered brides of spray and foam,
while shadows form and faces pale.
Ensnared in shawls, they reel them home,
the daughters of the sand and shale.
