Jesus was a carpenter, after all, surrounded by fishermen and their boats. Maybe he built a few to float, too.

the curve of the deck – sheer
ours noticeably higher at the bow
than even the stern

while the crown with its sides
for water runoff

a dutchman
a piece of wood
cut in
to replace a rotten section

ditto in our home

if not a schooner
a ketch

Technically, a ketch rather than a schooner.
the Angelique a beautiful ketch

at anchor nearby
rust-colored sails
quite distinctive

yes, ketch that

everyone else went ashore in the yawl
to the boat school etc.

Brooklin

just me and the crew left aboard

someone in a white sweatshirt

jumping rope on the dock
the sound of the slapping rope
across the water
caught my attention

finally wearing my new hoodie
with its kangaroo pocket

learned that phrase yesterday

Joe bought the E.B. White democracy book while ashore
after hearing us discuss the author
(the son became a famed boat builder)

boat school temp tattoos stamped
on other passengers, crew

we’re leaving the Angelique at anchor

Long, thin wedge in the bay
Hollywood stars summer palaces
Somebody’s mansion and grounds all alight

Phosphorescent water
stirred up into tiny fireflies,
sparks

plankton summer

a summer home
on an island in Maine
is here
and there, too

that was the ferry in front of us
miles ago

that’s the ferry
heading back