AFTER INSOMNIA.

A mooring at 7.ooam...

In the lock the slender body... coated with flower designs, dressed the

background painted red,

A man on the port side disturbs the dawn quiet... whistles over again

the same tune... as his partner comes up from breakfast... bumps her

silky-grey head,

I stood at the window curious to know... as if watching a casual feat,

Could not sleep the night... as the sun rose its bald yellow crown,

The boat was a charming sight... whilst I arranged my balcony seat,

I ached to admire its wooden frame without grace in slippers, pants

and gown,

40 after 7 at the canal; the slender red boat went...

Through the lock gates deliberately... like giving its own ceremony,

I raised my arms and stretched, yawning with mouth open agape

The man and woman looked up and behold! began to wave to me,

Ah! the funniest thing... saw a heron near by raise its tube like neck,

Turned my way... and then precociously began to shake its beak,

Found myself responding... waving, then thought, 'what ever next?

Out of the red long boat... man and wife this bird had my interest...

Peaked!'