but back stage
we're shuffling the decks

I'm desperate here
I should have mentioned

I didn't know
I was standing on the shore today

the waves were high
I saw a broken old raft

I clambered over the rough granite
barefoot in the hot sun

a rope had it stuck under deep rocks
it was close enough for me to jump on

I swayed with the waves
avoiding splinters and upturned nails

I swayed with the waves
and imagined pushing out to sea

with one good friend
or alone

where would we go?
it was only later I considered

what to eat? to drink?
how to steer?

so attractive
helpless on the ocean

floating away from any possibility
of destruction or salvation

.iP