the 55th street marina in cleveland

has a breakwater
that points me northeast
quebec!
in the dark a soft ripple approaches
reaches out to touch my shoe
francophone downbeat cadence
voided by time
but nonetheless true
the glass i hold was never filled in these waters
i view that as a lighthouse always shaded
foot candles black and burned
at both ends
the opportunities are never recognized
in the heat of the flame
i need a glassy cold calm
to pitch a taste of bread to the seagulls
their flight suspended
but without end

--- e b bortz

(published in The Exchange, Oct 1998)
(published in Whiskey Island, 1999)