In a small boat
in Port Angeles harbor
a woman basked
in moonlight
as a breeze nudged
her small boat
closer to
the breakwater
of Edez Hook
and the coast guard
air station.
The Coho Ferry
to and from Victoria
was done
for the night
so its regular path—
which should
have rutted
the strait
of Juan de Fuca—
would not be
an issue
until an hour
after dawn.
In the small boat
Leaves of Grass
lay open
on her belly
as she
lolled back
on a blanket
and let the stars
ease her breath
until it reached
the ground
supporting
the salty bay.
copyright © 2022 Kenneth P. Gurney
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