The watchman on the shadowy decks
of memory
just the face is the treasure
like moonlight bejewels the ocean's surface

suction-cupped tentacles yank down down down—
leviathan breakers wash over
crest into throat and lungs.
scan the horizon for the lighthouse.

rising, a beam of light
plunging, the black ink

deep swallows to deep
nightfall
      the sea's engraved lockets
      the picture of the yellow flower in the hair
            with the anchor's chain of the Dutchman
              the necklace