Life Challengers Approaching Dusk (1985)
Their rowboat bounds for blindly glistening waves.
Lurching from the shore,
they bicker and spin
into the sun's path
till at last
they are lost to my sight‑
like the first astronauts
gone behind the moon.
Speed boats,
bellowing motors and dudes,
now leeward, starboard
bow-to-stern loom.
Hooting teen seamen guzzle
a six pack or two,
Hot doggin it for dockside pals.
Like mindless comets,
they spear a wake.
Asteroids,
ready to forsake the wheel.
All I hear are engines
and squeals
as the mad dash into the sun.
Given the turbulent liquid space,
the day's end voyage
now seems a mistake.
Re-entry cannot come too soon‑
for my daring explorers,
two young daughters.
"This is mission control.
Come in, please.
Tell me what you saw.
Bring samples
from the far off shore.
Row here victorious
and nonchalant ...”
The sun drops to silhouette
their boat into view.
At peace in a cove
riotous with crickets.
Bent over lilies
bundled up for the night,
the girls are all right.
My eyes pull their oars hard,
will them to this shore,
passed macho vessels,
intoxicated with power.
As they dart across the lawn
and toss down the oars,
I wonder
who wills the wild boys home
at this bewitching hour.
Sound Shore by Vincent Mancuso