on St. Peter's Street

on St. Peter’s Street:

mad cracked anger –
the staggering captain on the deck of the sinking ship
drunk upon the call of sirens

death
the cold water of the deep green sea
the desire to step over the gunwale into the salt and foam

Fred – the first mate upon the Emerson
walked off of the front of the vessel
drunk and weary wanting some woman – out of reach
descending
he was dragged down the length of hull
and dredged through the screws
chum

the end of Fred
the end of his pain
and the end of his travels
the end of seeking at the edge of the horizon
for comfort in the arms of sirens

Odysseus and his crew herd them
circa 8th century BC

sound waves never disappear but diminish in half lives

the captain has heard their singing
and walks on water
like Saint Peter – loosing faith and sinking.