Memento Mori
Did we think
the ocean was
immortal? Surf
spills its guts:
candy wrappers,
cloudy condoms,
plastic bottles,
a Frisbee–all
mossed by algae,
killing time.
Did we think
the ocean was
an emollient for
the galled world?
Do we assume
we will be missed?
David Swanger has written four books of poems, the latest of which, Wayne’s College of Beauty, won the John Ciardi prize in poetry.
