Gray Whale Calm

The bay sifts sand and rock
shifts this tiny sailboat
southwest to Kingston's dock
wind pushing, me holding rail
can't help but see Rainier
off in the distance
seems so close it's fear
gravity's resistance
as the wind fails us
the sails flatten and flutter
can't imagine being in a rush
to hear the engines mutter
boat's quiet moan is heard
while looking in at sail's palm
and then to port side how absurd
to see a gray whale calm
rolling over like some great log
can't help but think
that maybe it's a facade
that maybe I should blink
can't picture a moment the same
he was gone as wind puffed
across the surface like rain
its breath filling sail, setting us off

and oh the bay sifts sand and rock
shifts this tiny sailboat
southwest to Kingston's dock
wind pushing, me holding rail
can't help but see Rainier
off in the distance
seems so close it's fear
gravity's resistance