Ships Of

the dead

slosh at anchor in this port of souls,
The Naglfar made of the untrimmed
nails of the dead,
Charon’s obol made of coins stamped
with dolphins in open wooden eyes,
Many nameless vessels that get
a name from their passengers.
Last to leave was The Refugees.

From the quay sail the ships
of remembered souls,
who look at their reflection
in the ocean of forgotten souls.

The ships sail on the ocean
of the unremembered
Who keep the ship afloat,
Provide passage from one port
to another and know passengers
and crew have destinations.