I was a sailor
---------
all began, a gentle nudge
but soon became a violent shove
over the edge
falling fast
into a sea of embrace
and kissing

after the splash, we stayed and played
which foreign waters (we knew) forbaid
we didn't fear
didn't care
but her eyes were on
the horizon

i saw a hint of dread in her eyes
seemed her delicious smile made lies
so i peered
over my shoulder
and i glimpsed the tempest
that she'd seen

she pulled my face back around quickly
then she happily whispered to me
"don't worry,
t'was illusion"
but i feared no storm
because I
was a sailor

i had seen many storms rage at me
and i had seen even more flee
and would not
allow
a new one to rob me
of this swim

but the clouds still grew near
and i could tell she mounted with fear
she kissed me
with eyes open
to watch the storm that
approached us

a very brave sailor she was not
no matter the number of storms she'd fought
and she fled
with haste
to the shore in panic,
without me

she stumbled across the lonely beach,
the door of my brother's house she'd reach
she never
looked back
or asked me to come
so i stayed

from the water i watched (to my heart's damnation)
her reach my brother without hesitation
and as soon
as his eyes
laid on her he
had to own her

my brother he called, he yelled to me
offered shelter from the turbulent sea
but i stayed
to swim
but she wanted shelter
in his house

she was no longer mine to hold ever more
as they walked (hand in hand) through my brother's door
now i hang
my head
as i hear the first raindrops
hit ground

i know my brother, and he will try
to keep her, but his love is a lie
only a sailor
could love her
and a sailor my brother
is not


-justin adams
March 2000
ed. Nov-Dec 2000