The tune plays over and over
the harbor, slow steady 
base tone rhythm, low
under a single horn 
blowing tenor notes
over and over ripples lit 
in long wobbling streams
of white red green lights 
spilling from the bridge
across the lagoon, 
two small boats
rock and sigh scraping 
off-beat against the dock 
to the rumbling chug 
of a tall fishing boat
sliding by at midnight, 
birds squawk and titter,
pillows of water flatten
slapping at the shore
as a great bell claps 
& clangs over and over
the drumming rush of the sea 
& a lone seal bellowing 
off in the dark. 
This goes on all night.


for Zan Stewart 
Fort Bragg Harbor, CA