ESPIRIT DE MER

A small ship, an iron horse afloat, cast whole, without apertures or helm.
Two muscular men stand amidship,
barefoot in loose blousy shirts,
side by side, eyes ahead.

Servants of the sea, their vitality
commands this ship
sailing now on smooth water.

On deck, I attempt to steer,
shifting as if on a sled.
Steadily the boat cruises on and on,
carried by unseen sources of power