Atmospheric riverboat come carry me away,
In a cozy little cabin where I’ll feel your drift and sway.
I’ll snuggle in and ride along for day after long day,
If only, atmospheric riverboat, you’ll carry me away.
I’ll peer out of the porthole as we wind down toward the sea
And watch the deer and dove and fox find shelter in the lee.
I’ll snack on kippers, chips and cheese and sip hot cups of tea
And only rise and leave my room to go outside and piddle.
Sheltered in your tiny walls, safe from wind and rain,
Forgetting with that cold front comes a damned arthritic pain,
‘Cause thoughts of springtime blooms and sun will occupy my brain,
Serenaded by the chorus of the steady, falling rain.
Oh! I’m sure that sometime soon I’ll feel like Noah on the ark,
‘Neath the daytime cloudscape or during nighttime’s dark.
Trusting you will find a mountain peak on which to park.
But then, you are a riverboat, and not so much an ark.
So atmospheric riverboat, I must ride you to the end:
Alone inside my quarters with no one to call my friend.
I’ll sail through all the ups and downs and ‘round each hidden bend,
Holding hope beyond all hope the storm will somehow end.
Dear atmospheric riverboat, of thee I once did sing,
Until I thought more fully ‘bout your damp and raucous sling
And the lasting loneliness that your company will bring.
So, atmospheric riverboat, let’s forget the whole damned thing.
Now you go on your wintery way of bluster and debris.
Cross the Mayacamas but do kindly leave me be.
Blow and pour and blow some more until you are but wee.
And know, you cold old bastard, I doth thumb my nose at thee.
On further thought, I’ve made the choice to not climb on this year.
I’ll snuggle in at home and stroke my puppy’s snout and ear;
And read a book, caress my love and taste a cup of cheer;
Comfortably beside a fire, just sitting on my butt.
© 2024
Church of the Open Road Press
No comments:
Post a Comment