The Ferry to Bainbridge
A frosted cake
layered with cars and people,
rosetted with gulls,
points out toward
quiet afternoon islands.
Out past the once
sunken clock tower.
Out past Ivars and
the painted red fire boat
at the dock.
Leaving swirls of celadon–
and-ice-green froth
in a widening wake
of blue bay.
And a skyline
that becomes
more matchbox
as we draw away
through a swathe
of sun and sky.
On the big white ferry
to Bainbridge.
Colin Goedecke
Seattle, Washington
April 2000
