Old Sailor on a Bench

From the salt harbor to the open sea

his eyes affix on the long hem of the horizon

that separates blue from blue

and cloud from foam.

Closer in he sees white pleasure sails

and low green islands,

green with the pitch of pine,

their scent over the water.

He has seen this over and over

but it holds no sameness for him,

these tides of such relentless strength.

He knows each surge

brings something new and alive,

just like it did at the beginning.