Estuary Bed -

The children are walking back from the beach

Sun on the sidewalk is burning their feet

Washing the salt off under the shower

And just wasting away, wasting away

The hours and hours and hours

Come on, climb over your father’s back fence

For the very last time we’ll take the shortcut

Across his lawn

Then lie together on the estuary bed

Perfectly still, perfectly warm

Sleep no more

Sleep is dead

Sleep no more on the estuary bed

Ache no more

Old skin is shed

Sleep no more on the estuary bed

I see you still

I know not rest

Silt returns along the passage of flesh

I hear your voice

I taste the salt

I bear the stain, it won’t wash off

I hold you not

But I see you still

What use eyesight if it should melt?

What use memory covered in estuary silt?

I know your shape

Our limbs entwined

I know your name, remember mine

Sleep no more

Sleep is dead

Sleep no more on the estuary bed

Ache no more

Old skin is shed

Sleep no more on the estuary bed