Enough light to be seen
Three-quarter moon, still low and orangey
And its path across the water
Made wide by perfect wind
Glad that I could do these things unseeing
Step the mast, set the rudder, raise the sail
I launched the boat in quiet slap of waves
Glided through the glinting, rippling water
Moonglow through the sails, stars above
Phosphorescence rising to my trailing hand
Sparking softly in my wake
The moon invited me—I had to come
Though sleep was vying for my time
Tomorrow it will rise too late
I told myself, tonight is prime
I didn’t sail for long – four tacks upwind
Then I turned and ghosted downwind
Past the silent docks towards home
Glad I’d made the effort to come out
As much to say I’d done it
As to sail.
©Wendy Mulhern
August 17, 2011