Peach Sky
As the sun melts and settles
fishermen and friends
stand and sit upon the stained and smelling cobbles
captured for all their eternity
against a sky of
clean peach
Upon the canvas of which
they're delicate and detailed
pondering the evening
or pretending to be peaceful
in the liquid air
listening to the indecipherable chatter
of the passing clouded crowd
that keeps up momentum like a river
without destination
only vague course
The green lamp post,
staring time out
also has a place
upon the peach sky
as do
the stray wisps of hair
upon the head
of the stillly sat girl
who presumably
along with the fishing men and lamp post
put thought upon thought
for how,
could one not?
Porto, Portugal, 5th August 1994
From 'Tall Ships'