we looked away,
just a quick glance at a passing gull
was all, and you were gone.

we could look away
because our little craft was wide,
steady and sea-worthy, most reliable.

silence except for a slight swoosh of water
a sighing suck, the softest noise
signifying your leave-taking.

we thought about you of course,
joyful with mermaids on daring dolphin
rides through effervescent white caps, bubbling.

no fish took our bait or tugged
at slippery lines; nothing disturbed the anchor
chaining us to the rocky seabed, but

late in the rippling afternoon under a soft sun,
a slight tremble broke the surface near the shore line.
clams opened, lobsters scuttled and we knew

then we knew, without a doubt that
you had joined the mermaids singing and sirens luring
men to watery depths. in our wooden hull
we knew then
that you were playing near watery seaweed fronds
and had joined in games among the pearly oysters.

perhaps when the cusp of the moon
sits low and stars jewel the waters, you will visit us.
we won’t look away, we promise.