A House Like a Ship

I live in a house that’s a ship,

      At times on land, at times on ocean.

I will myself into existence,

      Surrender, invite grace in.

I heed the call of the siren.

      On the phantom ship

I don’t know if I’m wave or cloud,

      Undine or seagull.

Whipped by winds, I hang tight to the mast.

      Few return from the journey.

I now wear the memory of nothingness,

      A piece of white sail wrapped like second skin.

“A House Like a Ship” is from Life in Suspension (Salmon Poetry, 2016).