Photograph entitled Skull Collage © John D. Stanton 2006 3AMBlue

The Sailor

John Irvine©

He sails upon waters

dark and deep,

waters hidden

in swirling mist.

His ship glides

effortlessly,

casting no bow wave,

making no sound,

touching gently

upon the shore where

a passenger waits.

“Come,” the sailor invites

with a hidden smile.

“Let me take you across.”

Hesitating,

the passenger peers into

the sailor's faceless cowl

as if for desperate reassurance,

then steps aboard.

“The Styx is quiet tonight,”

the sailor grins,

taking the coin.