How to Sail a Boat 

 It’ll be waiting for you beyond the warehouses
just north of downtown, where the last dirt road runs,
forgotten, along the vacant riverfront.
Realistically, you won’t be able to see anything,
especially if the stars have gone out, so just
ignore the sails and lines, and push off the dock,
as quietly as you can.  It won’t be  long
before the current will catch the prow and spin
you out, towards Canada.  Climb up on the bow.
Can you see the stars?  They won’t be any help.
The best thing to do is sleep now, while you can
You don’t know when you’ll have another chance.
The river knows exactly where it’s going.
With any luck, you’ll be there by morning.