Jumping Ship

Adrift! A little boat adrift!

by Emily Dickinson

Adrift! A little boat adrift!
And night is coming down!
Will no one guide a little boat
Unto the nearest town?

So Sailors say -- on yesterday --
Just as the dusk was brown
One little boat gave up its strife
And gurgled down and down.

So angels say -- on yesterday --
Just as the dawn was red
One little boat -- o'erspent with gales --
Retrimmed its masts -- redecked its sails --
And shot -- exultant on!

Oh Captain, My Captain

Tidal Evening, Machiasport, Maine

Red Breasted Nuthatches waiting to be fed.