Ahab

as it is

(The cabin;by the stern windows;

 Ahab sitting alone, and gazing out.)

fathoms under the salt planks

your walfish waits in tide and ebb,

and you are distilled too

into something like love,

the personal chase of two waves

waiting in the sea, trapped,

his white brow throws a squall,

eight bells, there are holes

in the sky, not yet, not now, next

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

hated the book, but loved the film with Gregory Peck...perfect Ahab...and yes, there was this weird mutual respect of the adversaries...and your poem expresses that so well. "his white brow throws a squall" love that.
So now I like your poem and the movie...still not the damn book...but what the heck Call me Ishmel!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I always find you minimalist poetry breathtaking Leslie. The scenes you set and the emotion you distil from such meagre fruits of words are simply amazing. The whale awaits him as does the ocean floor!