April Poetry: Brightwork

In recognition of Poetry Month, and to celebrate our treasure trove of Orcas Island poets, Orcas Issues is pleased and honored to offer daily poetry during April.

BRIGHTWORK
by Shannon Borg

We’re rubbing the brightwork clean
……….Every scratch, each faded rail swells

with tales of where this boat has been: laid open
……….like an oyster on a beach, or gliding

muck-ruddered into sunny harbors,
……….teak cracked apart by light’s knife.

In one tiny cove, the boat broke
……….loose, swung around and slammed

our sleep against the bench.
……….I barely knew you then, and you

barely knew the boat but now I believe
……….what they say is true: Boats

are female, and yours guarded you.
……….Reluctantly, she hauled me

from port to tattered port, until I saw
……….for myself, her winches creaking,

hull heeling in the gale. Many times I panicked
……………….and my heart pounded itself mad.

But slowly, the secretions of terror hardened, wore down.
……….My fear polished itself into a pearl.

For the first time, I needed to worship —
……….with scrub brush and chamois and wrapping of sheets.

Amen for watertight, for headstay and keel.
……….Amen for tack and jibe and a good run downwind.

For opening my eyes each day to this gorgeous
……….scuffed vessel, body that holds me

between grey sky and silver sea, in a space
……………………….a bit lower than heaven, sails blown

full of more entropy that I can possibly praise.