READING ROOM

Ninety miles across the sea:
Entre la espada y la pared,
The pescador gridded his barco,
Heaving prayers to Virgin Madre,
Praying her answer not be "no"
--Plowed crest and fold...as though led.

Ninety miles across the sea:
Four eyes gravely sought all round;
Two hearts stopped and stopped again--
Debris yet...and more debris
(As prayers and curses equally frame
Winds at dusk) beyond...beyond the sound.

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