They are the only ones who sadden me. I am the only one who can see them. Five Gleaming ships with round edges and shining lights. Five who ride the water all night. Five disheveled carriers returning home. From the sand, we can imagine them, but my friend tells me to pay no mind to them.

Their meaning is secret. They send heartbreaking messages across a glass mirror. They slow down and come closer between their shoulders and grab for me with a strangling grip and never latch on.  This is how they tempt.
Let one swim through to reach them, they’d all push like people in a crowd, each with their fiery fists out in front of their sterns. Tempt, tempt, tempt, they do. They shout.

When I am too lonely and too tired to keep tempting, when I am a lone seashell against so many curious children. When there is nothing left to say to me on this wooden port. Five who nurture despite separation. Five who tempt and do not forget to include. Five whose only reason is to keep me around.