Seven Seas

                                         Seven Seas

         Sirens wail, snapping the threads
                   of Sleep's enchantment.
         Stunned, I awoke to thunderclouds, marching up the valley.
                   What happened,    where's
                             Yesterday's glorious sky?

         Dark, grey, somber.... those masses-
                   moving on the wind-
         Bring welcome relief to those facing
                   devastating fires to the east.

         A day off. A day of introspection... a chance
                   to stay in bed.        Marvelous thought!

         The darkness fits my mood: My father's death
                   means clearing his house.
         Desires of siblings clashing
                   against    the remnants of his life,    lived out
                   on the Seven Seas: An alluring Mistress, always.
         Incomprehensible to some dry-landers;
                   Accepted by all. He was gone so much.

         One final phone call:
                   Yes! UPS ships just about anything.
         So... the stuffed seagull will find a home
                   In this dry valley. With me.