Dinghy

                                                    
The lush island fades as
I bob 12 miles from shore.

An albatross hangs on
to watch the right whale
twist like a black cloud
in a thin blue sky of sea.

I remember the heat
of the lava creaking down
the mountain, waiting to be
fire. The scent of smoke

reminds me then drifts away
on a pacific breeze
toward a billion Chinese
more free than me.

The fat shark circles me
as I bob 14 miles from shore.

Ebullient fish are comfortable
enough to swim beside, to marvel
at his white belly & my toes
just for kicks. We all thirst

until the sun leaves me atop
the brine. Curing, almost ready
to be. Dinner time passes
the shark eats his first bite

A billion Chinese go to sleep.