Flotsam and Jetsam

Flotsam and Jetsam

We argue again,
the difference between

flotsam and jetsam—
a nice distinction,

emotional cargo or
shell-blasted ballast.

Waves of loathing
whip up a sea shanty,

dry-retching stings my throat—
I can't sing your hook.

A scream in the bathroom
is trapped in my bottle.

I slow-comb the shore;
you head for the breakers.

Clams bake beneath
an unforgiving sun.