Smuttynose, Isles of Shoals

September, Isles of Shoals

At rest on old wooden rockers

with basket weave seats

along porch of Oceanic Hotel;

beach plums have ripened;

flocks of cormorants gather;

cricket chorus drowned by

constant call of gulls

from slick granite rocks

that line the shore.

In distance, slant of rain

skids across the bay;

light turns from yellow to gray;

lightening flashes illuminate sky;

sailboats strain to reach harbor

as storm approaches Star Island.

Lainie Senechal