Monday, September 21, 2015

COUNTING RHYME

by Darrell Petska


The Greek Coast Guard recovered the bodies of 34 migrants, including 15 children, on Sunday in the Aegean Sea after their wooden boat flipped over in strong winds as it attempted the short but often perilous crossing from nearby Turkey. --NY Times, September 13, 2015


Each little coffin
one two three
a boatload of dreams
lost at sea

Where to lay them
four five six
waiting on the oarsman
plying the Styx

From whence to where
seven eight nine
Hush now, you boxes,
no jostling in line

Ten eleven
twelve thirteen—
what rhyme or reason
worth losing a one

Fourteen fifteen
sweet moppets spent
weep fast: offshore
bob boatloads more


Darrell Petska is a retired university editor with poetry or fiction appearing recently in Mobius: The Journal of Social Change, Boston Literary Magazine, and Tule Review. He lives near Madison, Wisconsin.