Zinc roofs stretch like decks at low tide
Chimney pots stand watch in single file
A brass lens cap rests on cold stone rail
Salt wind recalls what the keeper forgot
Click wind click the shutter searches
Click wind click across the arrondissements
One eye open on the sleeping city
One eye closed against the coming storm
Film advance lever catches morning light
Sprockets bite down on forgotten frames
No darkroom waits for developer dreams
Just a lantern room above the Seine
Click wind click the shutter searches
Click wind click across the arrondissements
One eye open on the sleeping city
One eye closed against the coming storm
Viewfinder frames a slate-gray horizon
Notre Dame spire cuts the heavy sky
Keeper's log reads blank for thirty winters
Light still sweeps though no ships come home
Click wind click the shutter searches
Click wind click across the arrondissements
One eye open on the sleeping city
One eye closed against the coming storm
Lens glass fogs with breath of ancient storms
Aperture stops down to f-stop sixteen
Exposure holds the weight of unwatched years
Negative burns positive in salt air
Click wind click the shutter searches
Click wind click across the arrondissements
One eye open on the sleeping city
One eye closed against the coming storm
Click wind click the shutter finds its harbor
Light sweeps on
Log stays blank
