HORMUZ

the ocean is still there

bright blue

and calm

and stretched out flat

beneath stalled ships

at anchor

waiting

for the latest gang

of thugs

to slug it out

in gilded suites

behind dull desks

beneath stern portraits

of some other thugs

armadas

in the doldrums

waiting for the coins

to drop

deals to be

struck

the ocean is still there

the purple gulf

the prussian depths

hemmed in by

soulless and forbidding cliffs

of barren real estate

parched

by an unrelenting sun

I know such waters well

I scent the smell

the salty smack

of ancient battles

distant peace

I have leaned two skinny arms

upon the deckrails

of old liners

waiting in deep waters

for safe passage

through the sea of Araby

perhaps some shore leave

shiny tourist trinkets

the ocean is still there

and still will be

exhilarating

wide and thrilling

blue and vasty

a tonic for the senses

but for now

beneath the drone path

it is clogged with craft

of every size and shape

cargo and need

becalmed by ideology

hate and greed.

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