Berth

See there, where the land moves
and sparkles like tinsel?
That is the ocean,
and those things that float on it
like pieces of a kitchen,
they are boats,
and all of this together
is what we call the marina.

Oh, you have heard of pirates?

Yes, I guess this is where
it might all begin,
healing or horrid,
ushered in by a few fattened gulls
and the bittersweet smell
of petrol being coughed
through olive water.

Yes, there are things out there
that are only to be found alone,
and which mostly stay out there.

Of course, if you don't like the idea
of the sun cooking up storms,
of days of rain,
you can always stay here
at this seaside cafe.

But let's just wait and see.
When we turn our backs
on this half-erected circus
the trees might suddenly
seem quite silly,
and the firm ground
much too shallow.

Yes, I agree,
if you had to choose one,
then that one there would be good.
Yes, it does have character.
It just seems to give
so much purpose to its wood.