by Willie Blevins
When the wind is light and
the water is smooth
a well trimmed boat
will fly silently,
effortless motion,
at the inevitable vertex of wind and water, plastic and stainless steel,
seamless Siamese twins of nature and technology.
As the wind builds, the twins separate becoming distant cousins
then casual acquaintances, and finally
enemies.
The deterioration of the relationship is reduced by
the skill of the skipper and the crew.
If negotiations ever totally break down, nature always wins.