Fast Eddie's Pier

A small breath of air stirs the candle flame
As the flame settles, a tendril of soot rises
To meet the dingy greyness above

The waitress is telling saucy tales
She's certainly had too much to drink
We share that burden, as the ocean now reminds me

Old Fast Eddies sways with the current
So tenuously tethered to the shore
All at the mercy of a vast expanse of ocean

The candle reminds me of my own tenuous path
On this barnacled and weathered pier of life
Subjected to the most violent of storms

So many times the gusts have blown
So many times the flame almost died
This salt crusted walk has been very long

I'm reminded of all that has been
Of those who weathered the storms with me
And of those who washed away long ago

The flame of the candle that is now before me
On the windy dark night, that is tonight
  Flickers so frequently