Lantern Room

At Main Street’s end, the Shore Road
cast-iron Chatham Lighthouse
towers inland
over the North Beach breakthrough…
over low sandy grasses whipped by surf
on shrinking shores.

She borders neighbor Coast Guard station,
participating in maritime mission
and moonless coastline navigation,
burning guidance for those lost
and for those about to lose.

Her candlepower, visible for many miles,
cycles spinning, automated and
unmanned, alone in the lantern room.

Blinking sea birds regard her turn, and rise:
a lighted mist of laundry lifting
on the endless ocean line.