Breathing begins with a walk across the boatyard:
oil-soaked gravel, cradled hulls.

Each of these is a heartbeat: step
down, into the wooden dinghy; set
two leather-wrapped oars in brass sockets.

A yellow-eyed gull dips over the green marsh.
Our little black boat rests close across the river: cleats,
coiled cotton ropes, tea and pillows in the cabin,
five sails stowed below.