On the Charles

On The Charles
by Paul Turner

After work, at the helm,
Hiked out for the thrill,
Tricksters luff the mainsail:

Currents that rush spaces between buildings,
Tickle and tilt at the Salt-and-Pepper Bridge shakers

Trim the sails now,
Close reach to the basin's wobbly middle, and
Come about as needed, like no skippers snoozing on smooth coastal runs.

The workaday heat lifts off heads and ears
The heart awakens.
And suddenly there awaits many boating tomorrows and days ever after.