ON THE WAVE
A wonder was on the wave;
water turned to bone.
-- Old English riddle (trans. F. H. Whitman)
I can't see a thing in front of me. Shipwreck in winter; loose ring around it;
Cut across my neck. And we are floating. The water's cold, or it's so hot I'll
Easily slide off my own bones. I can't look down now. There's something swimming.