Ashes On Salt Water
Some things never extinguish
A sepia portrait sailor boy cap cocked
just so ocean eyedto sea to serve my country
To become numb
to family
A life stuck
like a nail
where the wall needs paint
To then be thrown back
and ashes don’t meltNo orange jacket
No benediction
sprinkle of vodkayour moth-eaten red sweater waving midair
tumbler and bleak lips
as words pass
grace be now and forever
Shine
the chapel’s linoleum
And all that remains
A decision
White or gold? Chrysanthemum petals scatter