Dark Thoughts

Ever spend a night entangled
In the delta's lotus pads
Anchor-deep in muddy water
Waiting in a starless evenings full
Of paddle slaps from dugouts darkened
Black, with sin, and expelled nuns?
Shadows shiver over lotus leafings
Bearing bone bobblets and
Grinning shrunken heads in dozens
Hungry for unwary boatmen
Sleeping by their running lights.
Before the anchor weighs
The midnight birds will taunt you:
Heedless headless
Seamen,Bon voyage!