Blow Back
once
upon a time
a boat due
for wetdock
maintenance
and repairs
officers
enlisted men
headed to port
...
...
waste
dumped
fore not aft
in briny deep
by mistake
boat sailed
through a cloud
of trash
what was nuclear
gave the hull
a radioactive
veneer
...
...
atomic footprints
of one hundred men
headed for shore
leave
across the deck
of the submarine
tracked
hither and yon
through the night
to
bars
brothels
trailer parks
families and friends
crew pulled back
for safety checks
...
...
but also
running silent
running deep
to keep it
from the press
________________________
Paul McDonough
Electric Boat
Bullhead Books 2024
