Sea Chanty at the Wave Door Inn

A pip with ivory key opens Flat 9
a single berth frigate thick
anchored against treachery.

…Sing, slosh, go quick

Somber sailor stows weary bags
samples and strolls up Dolphin Bridge
across dreary docks and yawning yachts.

…Boil, boys, go quick

Away across the bay retired
fishing boats lean satisfied
old fishermen falling fence grasses.

…Sing, blast, go quick

Genteel joint jangles with jazz
brittle black guitar soft in the breeze
smooth nickel strings flat wound.

…Sing, quaff, go quick

Ballasted double scale bass mast
cherry kit pearl edged march snare
weather polished saxophone droops.

…Sing, dogs, go quick

He takes the troglodyte trail
blue green seaweed fills slowly
night sky triple dotted whole notes.

…Sing, land, go quick

Guzzles bottled bitter ale
blue taxi breezes by rigged for rough weather
spills yellow over green street.

…Sing, loop, go quick

A reenlistment party whoops adrift:
One tells a tale of an antediluvian mermaid
singing in the surf to the drunken sailor
early in the glassed off morning.