Bringing It All Back Home On The Ferryman's River

Rounding another silted bend, 
Where someone left a lone 
Oar, a marker now half- 
Hidden in the susurrating 
Singing reeds signaling still 

Another traveler’s solitary 
Deposition beached 
Near the not so 
Farfetched beckoning 
Dog-eared shore. 

Wet Behind The Ears

That old Greek he knew you 
Can’t step into the same 
River twice, for even 
If you could, you’d still find 
Yourself high and dry 
On the banks of certain 
Uncharted shit creek 
With nothing better 
To do save wait 
To pay a certain smart-ass 
Ferryman to paddle 
Your dumb ass across. 

The Last Village Threnodist

Oh woe unspeakable 
That has befallen us— 

She who kept alive for years 
That ancient dying art has left us 

With no one to better 
Charon’s bitter, 

Bitter song. 

Paying the Bearer on Demand

Believe me, that frozen 
Look the ferryman gave us— 
So mortifying 

We parted with our mouthpieces 
And took our seats solemnly, 
As convention demanded. 

The Ferryman on Upward Mobility

No matter how hard you tried 

Mate, you’re still here

Being taken down a river 

At low tide— 

So put up your obol and shut up, 

Hold your hands over your eyes,

Enjoy the rest of your ride.