Night Light

They keep me up to send me to sleep, watching from the pier
Watching for the ship to tip past the horizon in the wake
Of steam and goodbyes and even then, still watching to make sure
I arrive safely on the other side. They guard my dreams and
Smoothen the frown and run their fingers through my hair.
Gently. As though parting petals, releasing the pale fragrance
Of shampoo into the garden’s night. The nightmare leaves
Bored as the crowd after the departure horn. All is calm again.

My lighthouse, vigilant and lonely, still as statue, how you
Buzz with moth light. How you warm me with your smile. It is
Too dark to see me clearly, so I would like to have waved back.
If only I could spare an arm not hugging the obscene orange
Of a life buoy while the dark waters tug at me to accompany the
Two moons and carpet full of stars.