Little Ferry, Sunday

My father waited by the pier A paper cup, a borrowed scarf My mother waved until the bend No angry words across the water I carried homework in my bag He carried Saturdays we'd missed Little ferry, hold your line Take me to his waiting smile Two front doors can both be home Love can cross the water slow We made small pancakes in his flat He learned to braid my tangled hair On Sunday night he packed me pears And walked me to the lantern stairs Little ferry, hold your line Take me to his waiting smile Two front doors can both be home Love can cross the water slow My daughter counts the gulls today His scarf is folded on his knees He waves before we reach the pier She knows him by the way I cheer Little ferry, hold your line Take me to his waiting smile Two front doors can both be home Love can cross the water slow Three shadows walking from the shore He saves the biggest pancake for her