He wakes before the harbor stirs
Salt crust clings to wool and skin
Thirty years he watched the blur
Now the lens looks back at him
Attic prism catches dawn
Throws a spectrum on the wall
Red and blue and yellow drawn
Keeper's light recalls it all
Tea steams in a chipped enamel cup
He watches steam rise, curling up
Radio plays the shipping news
Static hums a familiar tune
Attic prism catches dawn
Throws a spectrum on the wall
Red and blue and yellow drawn
Keeper's light recalls it all
Dust settles on the brass plate
Latitude and longitude
He polished it through storm and gale
Now the sun performs the role
Attic prism catches dawn
Throws a spectrum on the wall
Red and blue and yellow drawn
Keeper's light recalls it all
No revolving gear tonight
No oil to trim, no wick to raise
Just quiet in the morning light
And color climbing up the stairs
Gulls cry past the attic sill
Tide turns in the channel deep
Keeper sits and watches still
Promises the light will keep
Attic prism catches dawn
Throws a spectrum on the wall
Red and blue and yellow drawn
Keeper's light recalls it all
Light holds the room in gold
Day begins its watch