heat trapped in the harbor
she forgets to memorize
the way she tracks the waves
in her sleep / those sweaty banks

how many trees
how deep is the water
at this kink
how many boats does it take

to fill the basin
shells crowd the northeast end
of the dock / another slip
another hybrid / a welcome breeze

a slackened halyard slaps its mast
the next town over
she will walk there eventually
how she greets every place

feet first / the heart will follow
the head may / or may not / catch up
one more word and
she’s / almost / done

putzfrau / robots

pace impatiently
waiting to paint
while we fumble to stretch
their next canvas