Lifeboat 21

On a  weathered seat,

where the water meets the shore,

an ancient grape tree bent to listen,

you played with words, a sing a long,

while a raven cried out, “my friend!

Love’s a thief to a beggar’s heart and words a robber’s tool!”

and then,

when my ears were deaf but to your mockery,

the raven sobbed “you fool!”