Dawn at Sea

The water by the sun’s first rays
is friendly, soft, serene,
An orange glow enhanced by haze
surrenders things unseen.

A white sail as the mist unfurls
takes shape above a sloop,
A startled fish sends up great swirls
The bait fish jump and sea birds swoop.

This moment strangely mystical
Is salve upon my soul
A phenomenon unequaled
by man’s most lofty goal.

Surely Heaven abounds with
such evanescent majesty
to savour like a heady wine
for all eternity.

A honking horn, a barking dog
assails my ears from shore
to herald life’s realities
Another dawn is o’er.

Jack Jay Burns