SPEAK

a worm ... sometimes on a hook ... sometimes angle-free ... I like it better without the hook ... and I know as well there are things closer than a smooth shave in the morning ... and something brighter than the morning light on the floor of the closet ... something more satisfying than pleasant ... indeed the pattern of satisfaction ... the content of happiness ... the being content ... it has a level surface in my soul all the way up to the eyebrows ... until restless stirring I move ... giving the chemical shower a good shake ... the bath in my head a good slosh ... and something of it out onto the floor wet with intention ... the water has broken ... the head begins to crown ... I would say more but the body turns and crawls back up the stream ... the captain says put out the lights ... the fleet at anchor swells with the surge swivels with the tide opens up to a wide yawn smiles and goes to sleep ... what was it you meant to say ... what was it you wanted ... something with the smell of the sea ... with the sound of the living breeze among the dying leaves ... you had something on your mind ... it was a word almost forming ... why ... what did it say