I rightly leap from boats
whose fast fish make toothpicks
of the planks and I’m a coward

I float behind in the wake
alone in your promise to leave
that I ignored and I’m a castaway

I dared to stare into the sun
I saw God’s foot on the great loom
parted the temple curtain
of the great whale’s brow
read the hieroglyphics there
understood his face
I spoke his name