La Srever S’efil

When I went to sea

my mama warned me:

“Beware, my son,

the breakers,

the banks and the bars.”

dilated – deleted – deluded:

that man now cast by shadow

a fleeting  ex-star’s cameo in some other’s dream

distort-reflected from the funhouse mirror

a wick to darken the lightness

noonday moon’s dry rain

a spectator projected from zoo’s perspective

faint notes inhaled from the tuba

downside in outside up

When I left the sea

my mama warned me:

“Beware, my son,

the breakers,

the banks and the bars.”

--Duane Vorhees