Between a bay and a beach,
a gale built from gray to gray:
an evident, flatiron figure.

Eastern, experimental frames,
carrying a conventional crew
of chance, developed during

dead-rise displacement, furling
forward, from a frolic to
an extraordinary, almost forgotten

example of exaggeration.
Courtesy adrift, distance depressed
and all distinctive finesse

finished, boats at capacity capsized,
devolved from favor.
And any feet accounted for

ended giving evidence for
amidships’ confidence becoming
a father for circumstantial

gravity, figs easily carried
down a centerline—an efficient,
fish-bottomed chain.

Jen Karetnick is the author of seven poetry collections, including American Sentencing (Winter Goose Publishing, May 2016), finalist for the 2017 Julie Suk Award, and The Treasures That Prevail (Whitepoint Press, September 2016), finalist for the 2017 Poetry Society of Virginia Book Award. She is co-director for SWWIM reading series.