Rooms by the sea

after a painting by Edward Hopper

by Judith Taylor

You know by the light
somehow
when the sea’s near.

Landbound, how you mistake
that silver shifting
and you seek it

unwary how, if you build your house
in reach of the sea, that freedom
it speaks to you will be all its own

never yours.
Though you case your stone foundations
even in caulker’s tar

still
that tide will come.