Practical Navigation                                                                                     

1.
I sit at a moon filled window
sail off to far away lands
he slides ship biscuits under the door.

I need time to consider this leaving
heal the bruises, soothe a heart
burned black.

I roll about on the window-ledge
like a bird trapped in an egg
wanting, but unable to hatch.

2.
My eyes, like hurricane warnings
burn red with two black centres.
you are standing into danger.

It’s as if I am undergoing a speed trial here
dry land is receding fast       I wobble
it would be wise to keep clear of me.

I am maneuvering with difficulty
feel your way past me with care.
help me          don’t help me

3.
NC   –    (am I in distress?)
F      –    (am I disabled?)
communicate with me
CXL       CXL       C  X  L 
(do not abandon me)
hold me    until I am there
not lost.

Lyndsey Knight

                                                                                                                 

Note:

Flag Signals from Charles H Cugle’s 1936 Code of Practical Navigation:
A =I am undergoing a speed trial
D = keep clear of me I am maneuvering with difficulty
F = I am disabled, communicate with me
R=. you may feel your way past me
U = you are standing into danger
X = stop carrying out your intentions
NC = I am in distress
CXL = do not abandon me

The Hurricane Warning.—Two storm flags (red with black centres), displayed one above the other, are used to announce the expected approach of tropical hurricanes.

Lyndsey Knight is an Auckland writer of poetry, flash and essays. She creates hybrid works of written word and abstract collage. Her work has been published in various anthologies and journals at home and abroad, including Landfall, The Miller’s Damsel, Ginosko Literary Journal, The Ekphrastic Review, Mindfood, NZPSA etc.