I was 12 at the time of this episode in my life. I had sprained my ankle on our trip to Boston and was using my great grandfather’s bent bamboo cane with its brass ends…

First Sailing Lesson

Boston Harbor
Skiff with a sail
Tacks into the wind
Easily

Grandpa shows
Me the ropes
Hand on the tiller
Eye on sail
Wind-rippled then pop

Dove off the stern
Tried to go deep
Bobbed to the
Surface like
Cork on a string

Mouth full of
Water I quickly
Spit out intense
Taste unexpected
Eww, SALT!

–LE – 2022