A slow current bonds

mudflanks to barnacle

eyebolt to afternoon

water to saline casing.

The decoy is shocked by the hunter’s call.

High on the shaft, 

the metal riggings pang out unqualified taps with the mast.

Dirty foam forms like burnt black bean juice against the shore.

Jellyfish become messengers to childhood,

while treated lumber holds algae as imprinted apparitions.

The shoreline’s loss to flood takes.

A tide gauge

to the rise line.