I stand on the dock,
gazing out at the radiant ball of fire
settling lazily behind the perfect line of the horizon;
I see God in the details
of shadowy seagulls
and diamond-capped sprays.
A large barge approaches from the distance,
gales of laughter and shouts of pleasure spring from its decks;
it winks at me,
this jovial barge –
inviting me,
tempting me,
arousing all my cravings.
A momentary consideration,
a fleeting desire,
gracefully interrupted
by this awareness –
that
damned barge
is
blocking
my
view
of
God.