On The Sea-River

In the harbour when night falls People wander like hasty shadows in the hot air While the boats, lying on their sides Await the arrival of the waters in the mud In the streets lie the disarrayed remains of the fish market At low tide the river hides in darkness Giant nocturnal moths slam against street lamp lights They fall to the ground flapping their wings in a desperate hum A forgotten beggar who got lost, stumbles on the street corner Looking for a bed for the night Even the dogs aren't in a hurry A blurry bar overlooks the street Under the light that illuminates a billiard table The shrill cries of whores at fat customers Perched on stools against the walls The hum of the fan, the cough of the night porter Crouched at the hotel entrance Fatigue under the eyelids, a few glints before sleep