The Wake, by David Dykes

The Wake 

after The Wake, by Mark Tansey (USA) contemporary

Cleaved by the moon, it’s sigh
breaking starless water. And the smeared
waves are taut and pliant, strident as
Cary Grant’s coiffure. Sleepy-drunk 
you fall silent and watch the way your champagne
rocks with the sea, how the bubbles
make acrid supernovas against silver glare.
A punting boat pushes by 
and four small faces disappear into the night
same as tipped ash 
from the circle of slow smoked cigars. A joke is told.
The table laughs and heaves. A glass falls,
miraculously bounces, 
is caught by the bars of the salt-worn balcony.

David Dykes

David Dykes is a poet based in Medway, Kent, England. He has produced three chapbooks, most recently Small Emperor Moth about the bug of the same name. He has been published in 365 Tomorrows, Scrittura and Thanet Writers among others. David has performed across the UK including the Faversham Fringe Festival and Watchet Musical Festival. With his partner he hosts poetry performance night Big Trouble and produces the podcast Little Riot.