Crossing on Staten Island Ferry


Last Updated 25 Mar 96

I'd like to die like this...
with the dark fingers of the water
closing and unclosing over these sleepy lights
and a sad bell somewhere murmuring goodnight.

And a girl would stand beside me,
her hair lifted out like a hand against my face;
and I'd say "I'm going to die now."

And she'd answer "All the guns are still:
for men have learned to love one another."

Then a star would nose the water, like a weary gull
which had flown a long way and come at last to rest.

And, when I'd lift my face to look again on the God
I had found for myself
the girl would say "You're not going to die."

And she'd not mean me at all.
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