Two Views: On the Secret Affections of Semaphore
1/ “Signals at Sea,” a poem by Annie Dillard built of passages from Cugle’s Practical Navigation and published in Mornings Like This:
(If the flags in A’s hoist cannot be made out,
B keeps her answering pennant at the “Dip”
and hoists the signal “OWL” or “WCX.”)CXL Do not abandon me.
A I am undergoing a speed trial.
D Keep clear of me - I am maneuvering
with difficulty.
F I am disabled. Communicate with me.
G I require a pilot.P Your lights are out, or burning badly.
U You are standing into danger.
X Stop carrying out your intentions.
K You should stop your vessel instantly.
L You should stop. I have something
important to communicate.R You may feel your way past me.
2/ “ROMEO AND JULIET,” a poem by Hannah Weiner built of passages from the International Code of Signals and published in The Code Poems (now available in Hannah Weiner’s Open House, a new selection of her poems edited by Patrick Durgin):
MFD Juliet: Try to enter
KZU Romeo: I am in difficulties; direct me how to steer
OOX Juliet: You should swing and enter stern first
HBK Romeo: What is the nature of the bottom or what kind of bottom have you?
HAY Juliet: Double bottom
FHR Romeo: Stern way. Going astern
LK Juliet: Go astern easy. Easy astern
ODI Romeo: I am going full speed
HC Juliet: It is not safe to go so fast
KZY Romeo: It is difficult to extricate
BK Juliet: Is anything the matter
VLA Romeo: Cock broken or damaged
EHR Juliet: What do the cost of repairs amount to?
DF Romeo: With some assistance I shall be able to set things to rights
