Mariners Warning

Here we stand,
a lofty spinning lantern
throwing fractured light
from thrusting arc
of stabbing land
outward over water,
revealing hidden rock.
The dreck of longlost flows
and wrecks are blocked
below our line of sight
where only shadows row.
Fish know the way,
and we would breach
if we could swim
the surface of the waves,
to warn of softly singing
beaches not to brave
for dangers spaced before them.
It is not an angry place,
and does not seek
its peril to be known;
but probe we must
and dive we will,
our caution to the
fates and curiosity
are thrown and spill,
as we would rather drown
than never understand
our place in time and water
while walking on the land.
Our hands will never
find you should you
founder past the light
(our boats beyond your reach);
and you shall gather moonbeams
when at last aground
and landed float upon
your final resting beach.