Wooden ribs hold the morning cold
Tide pulls slow on the iron hold
No ferry horns, no footfall sound
Just the boat on the grey ground
Paint peels white on the gunwale edge
Rope lies coiled in a salt-rusted pile
Oars rest crossed like a churchyard pledge
Water slips in a slow sure smile
Dawn watch the rowboat keeps the line
Dawn watch against the waking time
Wooden eyes on the empty slip
Holding steady holding the grip
Mist clings low to the chipped blue paint
Gulls cry sharp on the copper chain
Pew wood memories salt and saint
Hull drinks deep from the rising rain
Dawn watch the rowboat keeps the line
Dawn watch against the waking time
Wooden eyes on the empty slip
Holding steady holding the grip
Light bleeds pink on the concrete pier
Engine coughs from a distant deck
Choir breath rises calm and clear
Rowboat holds the tide in check
Dawn watch the rowboat keeps the line
Dawn watch against the waking time
Wooden eyes on the empty slip
Holding steady holding the grip
No hymn book opens no organ sounds
Just the lap of the waking tide
The dock stays empty the ramp stays bound
The boat stays faithful the boat stays tied
Sun lifts gold on the wet steel rails
First car rolls down the loading ramp
Rowboat exhales the watch prevails
Morning breaks like a synagogue lamp
Dawn watch the rowboat keeps the line
Dawn watch against the waking time
Wooden eyes on the empty slip
Holding steady holding the grip
Dawn watch done the wood rests warm
Till tomorrow breaks the storm
