lifeboat

I recall one stormy night
racing down
with my father
to watch the lifeboat go out

men shouting
running
giving themselves
to the task of saving others

he had been a sailor
in time of war
I saw the look in his eye
as some memory from the deep
rose to overturn
his quiet night

men shouting
running
giving themselves

he always gave to lifeboats

last night I saw refugees
floating in the water
and thought of him

that look
that night
that lifeboat

all real
these shadows from the deep
enough to make men heroes
enough to make men weep

he always gave to lifeboats