Iron Tides

The seasons are changing again
first from summer to autumn
as the southern seas that we basked in
withdrew their warm waves.
And we watched wide eyed
as everything green and living
burst into flames
of crimson, umber, gold,
then smoldered into browns
and grey overcast skies.
Then the iron tides rose
with their cutting cold winds
and frigid waters coming in higher and higher.
Here we remain to endure the storm
for the months to come
and try to remember the south seas
on the nights when the damp
sinks into our bones
and the ice creeps into our blood.
We will endure
for it is all we know to do,
endure this untameable sea
and dry ourselves in the promise
that tides always change.