The Legend of GOKWIIS

Ah yes,
GOKWIIS,
the Puget Sound Nessy
that only is seen on foggy mornings
by folks on the ferry,
as it clears Elliott Bay,
swimming hard out from Vashon;
from a hidden grotto or bay.

It is silver,
this sea serpent,
and its eyes shine
like white fire.
It makes a churning sound,
punctuated by a whoosing sound
like a lame Seadoo;
like a constipated jet.

I know that Gokwiss
is man-made.
I remember
when its chassis was first bent
in the basement garage
of your Queen Anne house;
after we spent a whole week end
with sledge hammers
knocking a 5'X 4' hole
in the basement retaining wall,
and the garage wall,
so that you could tred
the damp dirt floor
from your home-made forge,
figuring out ways to fasten
your "special" parts to it.

For decades
you worked on it
like a man possessed,
rubbing it with resin
and buffing its stainless steel shell,
adapting sports car
dash controls and steering wheels
and bucket seats;
figuring out how
you would take a standard drive shaft,
and hook up a prop to it,
with the jet assist;
designing the water flaps,
and waterproofing
the waterproofing.

Yes,
Gokwiis is an old friend,
and I am looking forward
to renewing our acquaintance
soon.

Glenn Buttkus 2007