Benjamin from Swim by Anna Smyrk

Benjamin tells me,
the boat for the mainland
comes at five, or at six
or seven
or sometimes at eight.
He says, “Wait,

And you’ll see when it comes.”
The light starts to fade
and he switched the generator on.

Benjamin’s island is just two k’s around,
circled with mangroves
and water like slow liquid glass.
In the past,

His great-grandmother swum
these very same waters
and so will his children to come.

It comes,
Comes when it comes.

Benjamin tells me,
the name of the island
means a break from the wind,
a place to take shelter at sea.
As for me,

It’s a port of safe call.
I’m halfway across,
and I’m scared I won’t make it to shore.

It comes,
Comes when it comes.

• Australian
• Pop
• Solomon Islands
• banjo
• dobro
• indie pop
• indie rock
• island time
• mandolin
• singer-songwriter
• Melbourne