the night watch begins
in the light locker
a black lightless passage
where you wait until you can dimly make out its features
then you open the door and step out onto the deck
under more stars than you ever imagined possible
arching over the dark rolling sea
the ship’s screws churn a bright wake of glowing phosphorescence
that narrows and disappears near the unseen horizon
the ship hisses and vibrates as she slides through the water
you look up to see the radar antenna moving
in random epicycles against the stars
now, the quiet, the glowing wake
the stars and the sea
will be yours alone
for four glorious hours
The Ace Hotel Notebook 