.......The Ship Called 'Cajun Doll' Poem by elysabeth faslund

Coffee-lightning awake. Shower-ozone
Perked. Driving. Windy. Bridge.

'Good Afternoon. Bridge okay? '

'Span light out. Lost a ship in the bay
Last night. Coast Guard confirmed
'Cajun Doll' split up. Looking for survivors.'

Chain smoking thru hours. Bridge house
Gust-creaking. Tin rain lulling, lulling...
Power out. Battery back-up radio...
Storm-streaked windows...

'Cajun Doll. Cajun Doll to Brady
Bridge...Brady Bridge...request
Opening.'

'Brady back to Cajun Dolll...Cap
Stand by, stand by. Power out.
Bridge locked.'

'Roger that. Standing by. Cajun Doll
Out.'

Window...black. Street lights. Heavy
Sheet-rain. Nothing. Nothing.
3 hours to dawn...then, lighter gray.
Then, pink light, black trees day-green.
Power on.

'Brady Bridge to Cajun Doll.'
Silence. Asleep?
'Cajun Doll. Cajun Doll.'
Silence...

'Morning, morning. How was the night? '

'Span light out. Boat on stand-by...
Cajun Doll. Didn't break up in that
Storm...she's right over...'

Nothing. Nothing.

'Come see! Quick! '

One board floating under the Bridge...
'Cajun Doll' in script letters...

Morning fog shrouded the road, as I,
Driving, going home...

Like 'Cajun Doll'.