Mist clings low to iron pile
I rest here in a muted aisle
No palms to warm, no keys to turn
Just brine and rust for me to learn
The choir sings in tidal drag
A low alto in canvas bag
Breath held long on fermata sign
Till your fingers find the line
Salt kissed hide on splintered wood
Fog rolls thick where fishermen stood
Nylon fingers pick the air
I keep the heat you left there
Stitch by stitch the salt gets in
Mapping where your life has been
Steering wheel and coffee cup
Lifting heavy, setting up
The choir sings in tidal drag
A low alto in canvas bag
Breath held long on fermata sign
Till your fingers find the line
Salt kissed hide on splintered wood
Fog rolls thick where fishermen stood
Nylon fingers pick the air
I keep the heat you left there
Psalm one twenty-one hummed low
Beneath the Golden Gate's white bow
My leather lungs expand and fall
Answering the harbor call
Salt kissed hide on splintered wood
Fog rolls thick where fishermen stood
Nylon fingers pick the air
I keep the heat you left there
Gulls cry sharp on concrete beam
Waking me from diesel dream
Double bass bows slow and deep
While city lights refuse to sleep
Salt kissed hide on splintered wood
Fog rolls thick where fishermen stood
Nylon fingers pick the air
I keep the heat you left there
Footsteps tremble on the plank
Silver thermos, cold and blank
You reach down with weathered grace
Slip me on your resting place
Salt kissed hide on splintered wood
Fog rolls thick where fishermen stood
Nylon fingers pick the air
I keep the heat you left there
Salt kissed hide on splintered wood
Fog rolls thick where fishermen stood
Nylon fingers pick the air
I keep the heat you left there
Heat you left there
Salt kissed hide