an economist at play

without
the carrot
of killing,
the water
is free
of boats
this morning.

this morning
birds flock
atop it,
the water,
sea lions
surface
and dive.

underneath,
fish school and
dissipate.

the sky is
mottled
by cloud,
none of which
is the artificial
haze
of gasoline
and diesel.

without
the carrot of
profitable killing,
the boats
stay in their
harbors.

the people
stay in their
beds.

what’s the use of
waking,
if there is nothing
to gain?

i ought to be
pleased
by the simplicity
of sobriety,
but i’m not,
but i’m not.

looking out at
the clear water,
there are birds
floating
and then
flying off.
there are
great round slick mammals,
erotic almost,
erupting from,
and then sliding back into,
salty water.
fish school up
and then
dissipate.

society stacks atop us
like coal.
smoldering
and choking.
there is nothing,
really,
to gain.
only
a floating.
a dissipation.
only
another day
spent
with you.