(A fugue in words inspired by a shipwreck at Vanikoro)

They

should have known

the blood-red coral

would look for props –

fallen men, upturned ships

numinous

against darkened

skies.

They

should have known

Medusa’s head was

severed in an

artist’s fugue,

the sinking man beheaded

by a passing sword

was her reply.

They

should have known

velvet seas prefer

to be arranged

on flesh,

that still-life on

the ocean floor

will never date.     

They

should have known

the sound of silence –

Vanikoro

would keep them

here,

that only one

would be released –

he

has good teeth,

is of average height,

thirty-five years –

a private man

found living

darkly

in an ocean rift.