Gazing out above the sea dock
Shadows slip, conjoin and rock.
Eyes steady, mouth jealous agape,
A shy stevedore swells rod-shape.
Spying below as leagues pair
Moonlight diffidence laid bare.
Neckers sniff for breeches kindred
Gentle embracing swiftly rescinded.
Portholes of splendor cop his stare
Windows be mirrors fully aware.
Unfelt by distance as gelded avatar
He allays ache via nether reservoir.
Loss of seed be ploy to brace
Against the Id’s constant chase.
Tamping down his mast on high
Refuse keeps dreams on nigh.
Discarded cloth of wanton leper
Night carters forsake to a beggar.
So he piles pile up to the breach
With matter’s matter out of reach.
“Alas, me thinks, I bat away all need.
Who wants for love if not to breed?”
But cries to god the hand sets free
Cannot bury his true heart’s plea.
Caught in maelstroms of want-denial
He retreats inward to avoid the trial.
Playing wise up above the fray
Fulfilled at night, longing by day.
Signals befogged along the way
At ships not passed, parked at bay.
Tugging rope without dividend
He finds no port, ‘tis all pretend.
Content he be stranded up there
No sailor’s fancy caught by dare.
Filling bins, evidence to succor
Bely the fate of this lonely tucker.