Floor Time

scrap metal biding time for rust in lime-shallows

acidic from the mangroves pointing their toes

       askew; coarsing over, reddening with corrosive breath-

lessly stolen by water from the dirt pile to waste

away here in the river-bed.

bubble-pop fish careen by on stream-current-coasters of fizzled

leaves and assortments           barely a slap of tail or hum or stray

or bubble-pop, bubble-pop swallowed

how long? a long time;

enough to drown          had you lungs at all

splendor hallows these faded sand-pits

once famous has-beens of seafood tourist destination-worthy mangrove root-

carved architecture

the light over head grows dimmer still

filtering flinchingly through rush-hour gill traffic

just breathe a moment          scrap b(u)oy(ed) 

marooner---

someday soon we'll make a fine anchor out of you.