Smooth Sailing

The sea's most dangerous when it looks smooth--
when oily slicks ride every rolling swell
and ripple foamless past each rocky tooth.

The old tars shake their heads and warn the youths
"Don't take that boat out-- wait another spell,
the sea's most dangerous when it looks smooth."

Down at the dockside bar, in crowded booths
they smoke their cigarettes and let the smell
go rippling foamless past. Each broken tooth

in every sun-creased face repeats this truth:
some day the sea will drag you down to Hell
and it's most dangerous when it looks smooth.

The young men hide their fears with loud, uncouth
carouse and brawl, and launch their fragile shells
on rippling foamless waves. Each rocky tooth

in shallow-water grins betrays no ruth
for men who live by catching fish to sell.
The sea's most dangerous when it looks smooth
and ripples foamless past each rocky tooth.

Collection available! Knocking from Inside