Suzy Saul
Afloat
It’s difficult to balance on this raft,
much less hold onto things;
they slide or wobble, slip over the side
with a sigh or rattle, and as they go
I’m wondering
Is that starboard or port,
fore or aft? It’s easy to get confused.What’s worse is that after they go
I can’t recall their names —
my father’s box of tools,
that thingamy for mending sails,
the titles of my books, that blue one —
all the things I used to use so well
for doing — what? I can’t recall.Still, in my pocket (if I do not fall)
I have my pack of cards.
I can play solitaire if the sea is calm.
I win more than I lose.