You trace the dock where gulls cry low
The rusted can sings soft and slow
Salt wind lifts the iron spout
Morning paints the hull in doubt
Your boots sink in wet wooden grain
The tide pulls back then slips in rain
You lift the can its handle cold
Water drips like stories told
The ferry ramp lies bare and gray
No wheels will turn no horn will play
You pour the sea on rusted steel
And watch the orange light reveal
Dawn breaks the night with copper glow
The can sings loud the dock says go
You stand where tides and shadows meet
And hear the steel pulse beat beat beat
You walk the planks where ropes once hung
The lantern flickers softly sung
A gull cries out a sharp clean note
The water mirrors dawn's pale coat
Your fingers trace the can's rough seam
And feel the pulse of tide's old dream
Dawn breaks the night with copper glow
The can sings loud the dock says go
You stand where tides and shadows meet
And hear the steel pulse beat beat beat
The lamp above sighs salt on glass
You breathe the cold the moment pass
No voice no crowd just you and steel
The dawn writes lines you soon will feel
You tip the can a silver arc
The dock drinks deep the wood finds spark
Rust flakes fall like dried up leaves
The morning wind the dust retrieves
You smile
