Engines

My gaze caught as a king

Photo by J S on Unsplash

I spend the morning
on the beach watching
dad, awkward
in my boots.

Men and boys work hard
to sleep on sand and wake
soldiers without guns
to save the rivers
from running red.

All I can do is watch
each slash of the knife
pile cheese onto bread
my gaze caught as a king
watches an insect
dangerous but desired.

Later —
by the side of the road
seagulls circle a driftwood table
and I remember those fishermen
that paid for my cheeseburger.

© Trapper Markelz 2020

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