VI. Burial At Sea

The Apple Zed

From “The Fruits Of Their Labours” (2014).
Copyright © 2014 by The Apple Zed. All rights reserved.

All my possessions finally behind me
There’s nothing left that’s tying me down
The clicking of the train tracks reminds me
Of that tiny, bustling town and its people
And how they did welcome our ranks

And the hissing of the engine’s a godsend
Reminiscent of the town’s re-emergence
When it dusted off the remnants of bloodshed
And started steaming back into a resurgence
Its camaraderie and industry besting those bombers and tanks

Not to mention the pie, that succulent dish
Why has it taken this long to recall my one wish?
That waitress clearly understood the treasure she served

And then, she joined me for another slice. This surprised me
I started salivating for her beauty and charm
Blues of soft eyes and reds of flowing hair mesmerized me
Her gentle manner overwhelming, she did disarm my defenses
She offered her company. I could only offer thanks

On the ship home, what should I receive
But a letter from my wife, who decided to leave?
Was this a turn of events I deserved?

How I do wish I’d acted on this infatuation
With this young woman in this lovely oceanfront town
I never ventured back amidst my humiliation
Cowardice turning any chance of happiness down

Click of tracks gives way to cracks of thunder
Storm derails my happy trails asunder
Though I crash into a splashing ocean
I’ll swim to shore with ever forward motion

I know I’ll never have another chance at us
My coming back was only bound to be in vain
I was so foolish not to take a chance on us
Only the Golden Apple pie will ease my pain
Johnny Boy will not disembark this derailed train