The Oar in the Sand

He sailed to wherever the sirens were,

surviving by lashing himself to the mast.

An image of stalwart resistance, or weakness.

And the singers mere angels.

And heaven only desire, simply the illegal.

Sailed into the not-quite world.

Or returned home to slay the suitors

who had been feasting there for years.

What about afterwards? We never talk

of that. What if he goes on looking?

What if there is no place to go?