A Boat’s Irritation
Sand and rocks irritate the boat’s hull
as it lies tied up on the beach.
Waves lap against the shore
like kisses on a lover’s neck.
Wind-blown sand against its planks
reminds the boat of water spraying
onto its flanks as it tacks across
a choppy lake like a roller coaster ride.
Torrential rain, floods, tsunamis
infiltrate dreams until a rock bulge
digs against wood anchored in sand.
Anchored to Water
The boat lies anchored to the water,
its reflection clings like a drowning
victim to her life jacket –
acceptance of fates connected
like a jigsaw puzzle piece
by piece upside down, right side up,
then sky or water expand
until the scene combines a whole
with the boat still anchored.
Day Trip
Sunrise emblazons inside
the grounded boat’s wheelhouse
as if the boat still sails
the blackened seas,
as if the captain still
pilots the boat toward
safe harbor on an opposite
shore…ashore, aground.
The boat light dims
to silhouette to background
to a sundial across the beach.
Pier Trail
Tied to the scrap-wood pier
tires bumper boats
anchored for nightfall.
The pier rolls out across
the lake water,
tows two boats
like milk cows following
a covered wagon
shadowing rutted paths
on the Oregon Trail.
The trail ripples out
in wind-blown dust
sweeping passage from view.
The pier and
tied-up boats lie
ashore in weeds
rocking them asleep
with whispered lullabies.
Boat Course
Two boats tied
at starting-block piers.
The lake reflection
stretches out a smooth course.
On shore spectator trees
applaud leaves.
A blue sky merges
with the blue lake
in a daily race
to the finish
disturbed by veeing wakes
slashing against the shore
counting laps
the two boats complete
in merry-go-round
destinations.
Diane Webster’s work has appeared in North Dakota Quarterly, New English Review, Studio One and other literary magazines. Micro-chaps were published by Origami Poetry Press in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Diane has been nominated for Best of the Net and a Pushcart. She was a featured writer in Macrame Literary Journal and WestWard Quarterly. Her website is: www.dianewebster.com
You can find more of Diane’s work here on Ink Pantry.
