Sailors in a foreign port get a late night start to their next voyage.
Just settling into their departure routines, they’re at first flustered by the
Flickering of the ship’s lights, then alarmed by more serious
Malfunctions. Their pilots issue an international distress call, then
Desperately drag anchor to try to avoid lumbering into a major bridge.
Young girls in frilly frocks, some with flowers in our hair,
Dance around a maypole, skipping in and out,
Weaving intricate patterns with suspended colored
Streamers as we twirl in the iridescent sunshine.
Distress calls and maypole dances—
Mayday! May Day!
Jinny's Occasional Poems 