So many bodies crammed together in such a small space
The hub of the stern of the boat overflowing with small bent twisted shapes
Overheating dehydration
Constant rocking of the wooden flanks
They wrap the child in a bundle of clothing
For the blankets were the first to deteriorate
When the water became scarce the younger ones stood hauling
Ceramic bowls up with long thick ropes
The texture of the rope as a horses muzzle both soft and
Biting as the hands, tiny hands bend on knee
The skin covered in salt, hair of white stiff salt
Smell of vomit, yellow salt sea water

The word such is taught in a small official room
By a person who was not of this language
So the students sit mouthing the word such
There mouths opening gasping the sound that comes out of their throats
They do not have that word in their homeland.

So many bodies crammed in such a small space
On the 12rh day the babies started to die
Even as they dipped their fingers into the water flasks
And traced the line of the lips over and over
Drawing lips on finger tips engraved to remember
When they wrap the child in a bundle of sea starched clothing
They grab the head and the foot and walk to the far end of the boat
One, this looks like a game, two, this looks like a game
Three whoosh the bundle in the air swing as a hammock
Flying over small space then big wave drop
Into the moving ocean.

First foot on land and the candy is pink
Here the packages are right to left
There they are left to right
Here they too came on boats a long long time ago
So long they do not remember what it was like
Now here, close, they remember the fear of
The sharks.