In Flagrante Delicto

[starboard port] the ocean—an onyx plate predawn— somnambulant ships preen with a swag of warning lights massive hulls: cargo ships, flotillas, tankers, passenger liners loll; red lights buss the somber slate of sky—spangled strings of bawdy bulbs on the riggings—pole dance beside the quay—ridged, behemoth smokestacks toy with the flames of gold and white [cabin’s lav—occupied] waiting, my mind trundles to funeral pyres Viking ships, then returns to marvel at on-coming airport pot lights which upstage the walled gasps [very occupied] the exodus to Singapore crescendos we land—manned the plane performs a ritual slide—ash and steam spew from stacks of the other perpendicular members Touch down. [the door opens] First Published by Shooter Literary Magazine Spring of 2017