Tonight I taught the cadet the stars

Pointing out Bellatrix, Rigel, Betelgeuse

And down the abdomen to Sirius

With Orions belt holding up the night sky

The sea was calm, the air bitter

Like pepper on the exposed face

I told him we were done for the night

I stayed on the bridge wing, contemplating

The moon spread itself across the sea

I thought of the story of the big cheese

The only sound was the noise of water

Delicately and lovingly licking the hull

Then I remembered that Indian Summers night

My friend had drunkenly staggered to bed

We were alone on the swings

Looking up at the stars

We kissed until it rained

The stars shone down as ever

While I made my excuse to leave