He walks the hill at six fifteen
Cane taps rhythm on the brick
Navy ink fades blue green
Salt lives beneath his skin
Caught in Beacon brick
Autumn leaves don't stick
Sailor's knot won't unwind
Brick knee holds the line
Forty years on rolling decks
Never slipped on heaving swells
Now a century hex
Trips me where the tourist dwells
Mrs. O'Leary drops her bag
Fire crew cuts the mortar flag
Screams from number nine
Pulled loose for eggs and rye
Caught in Beacon brick
Autumn leaves don't stick
Sailor's knot won't unwind
Brick knee holds the line
Harbor wind don't blow this high
No tide lifts the weight
Maple leaves copper sky
Click-clack of his gait
Now he sits at counter stool
Orders eggs extra toast
Tells the kids he broke the rule
Land don't float like ocean coast
Caught in Beacon brick
Autumn leaves don't stick
Sailor's knot won't unwind
Brick knee holds the line
Brick knee holds the line
Coffee steam bacon grease
Morning rush Beacon Street