here’s what we do then:
find the woman with taut, erect eyes
ask her a question any question
doesn’t matter what since
the answer will be the same

they’re fishing us out from the above water
ducklings maybe swans maybe
the appropriate similie escapes
like halibut spies in a summer blockbuster

supposing then we go armed with an answer
viable enough true enough to pass 4am muster
let us then make here our pledge
and roll on, forgetting each other’s names, begin again