we were young, out on shore
in starry silence, my
beloved parchment moon hanging
like a sigh, and watched
the sea whip and sing
the whole night, filled
with silvery leaps
from the waves and buoys like
sentinels weeping

little conch shells in
the sand guarded gypsies
of the water, keeping
their pleasure erect, and we
almost heard bells or
so we thought

on the tall sea wall
a virile gale pursued us with
his breathing, burning
sword, and then the sea
darkened and roared, bells gone
now...we turned pale in
the night at how fast he came,
this wind satyr of low-born
stars with his sharp,
glistening tongue, laughing
at our alarm

a stone shelter loomed,
we knelt down inside, pulled
J Daniels from our bag for a
quick calming swig, ears
perked to the wind's furious
gnashing slate tiles on
the roof

shivering, we drew
coats tight around us
and inhaled the life-giving
scare, made terrorized love
till dawn

--Jo VonBargen 2011