4 Phaselus ille, quem videtis, hospites,

Oh there was never another to touch her –
Yes, the drinks will be out in a minute –
Broad in the beam all right
But the fastest hull that flew and she knew it,
Flashing her stern at the boy
Racers from Thessaloniki
Under oars or canvas,

All logged here:
The Adriatic coast (‘lethal’),
The Cycladēs, your famous Rhodes,
The Sea of Marmara (‘vicious north wind’),

The Black Sea shoreline (‘horrific’)
Where she grew up as trees,
Whispering adolescence with swishy hair,
Toes dug in the earth –
...