High above sadness

High above sadness
a smile breaks through
the tears are lost
to the receeding tide.
Drop to the shoreline
from folded flag,
that flies at half mast
for you

fluttering in the
breeze breath,
bellow of God.

Dispelling thick clouded -
migraine of death

Pull in the burgee,
the sailor is home
he is under the maelstrom
at last

where you waited by door
with brass bell
and boat wheel
a sign now announces
that you have returned

to the ocean,
the wideness,
the great gulping sky

and I stand on the jetty
and wave
to the waves.