We sliced through icing water on the bay,
arriving into snowfall as the night
began. The flakes by lantern streamed our way
like orange galaxies at speed of light
until we stopped, and then the snowfall seemed
to freeze and we to rise forever high,
explorers on a ship an eagle dreamed,
our gantry mounting mutely to the sky.

We journeyed full enchanted then, as if
by special licenses: the harbor seals
admitted us, the sea agreed, the skiff
obeyed. We offered wine and fishing reels –
the ocean took our frets instead – we lost
fatigue, and in the wake our worries tossed.