Boundless Reach

Away across the choppy water I peer
longing for a glimpse of the mainland.
A spur of water separates us,
less than a mile they say.

On a good day,
a strong man could row
or paddle across the expanse
in less than an hour
in a leaky boat they say.

I have never been a strong man
and we seldom have good days,
but I vow to God,
late at night by the coal oil light;
one day I will be a grown man.

I will trust to tide and wind,
to find a love among
the beauties that surely reside
on the bit of land I barely glimpse.

Away across the choppy water I peer
longing for a glimpse of the mainland.
A spur of water separates us,
less than a mile they say.