war time

war time

Seneca Lake sinks deep
six hundred feet
or more.
measurements differ.

far from spies’ eyes,
it tested submarines
in World War II.
endless tons of water
washed decks, bulged bulkheads,
and raveled nerves

even without sonar pings
or depth charge thumps.

        and I imagine stationed sailors
        blue-suited on Geneva sidewalks,
        grinning boyish grins at girls

        while children sit on hills
        to watch periscopes
        cut the lake
        and slip silent
        into cold, dark places.