Thirtieth Storey

TWO POEMS

THIRTIETH STOREY

From here they had hoped to see,

When the sun was right,

Their fleets going into the west

And the shining bright

Hulls as they dipped in the spray,

Homing, across the bay.

For every new country touched,

One storey more;

For every one balanced so high,

Another shore

Visible over the sea-

Or so they had hoped it would be.

But a smoke haze captures the sun

In a silver mesh;

Only when day is done

And the city's flesh

Cools by the white-sailed moon

Can they see their fleets come home,

Port light and starboard winking

Like stars to be boarded soon.