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gone silent these last months
been doing my living on the inside
went three days last week with not a word said
except to the dog
and even then didn’t need more than a couple
because he understands the pointed finger
and can read me by the things I do
knows the hat I put on for beach walks
better than any mouth-noise worth the making

I can feel a time coming
when maybe speaking is dead gone
and even do my sailing single-handed
putting aside the people
go it alone
cast off and sail
me
my boat
and the ocean

I think I might have been made this way
pond without ripples
smiling in solitude
eyes outward

used to be when I was young
that thoughts like this worried me
made me think I was going mad
feared solitude
or the need for it
like I was dropping out of the world

truth is that I was
needed to
but the courage was lacking

can see it now
can feel it

just don’t need you
not any of you
would rather watch the sea
than listen to more talk

lonely
sure
but only until I remember the alternative
and then it’s time to tweak a sail
or work on something down below

more silence
more work
and a cup of tea once in a while
to let a little something
get some way
in