Departure Bay

The fading scent of summertime
arbutus trees and firs
the glistening of rain-soaked moss
going to the dairy queen at dusk
down narrow roads
in autumn light

the salt air and the sawmills
and the bars are full of songs and tears
to the passing of the tugboats
and people with their big ideas

I just get home and then I leave again
it’s long ago and far away
now we’re skimming stones and
exchanging rings
and scattering and sailing from departure bay

the house was bare of Christmas lights
it came down hard that year
outside in our overcoats
drinking down to the bitter end
trying to make things right
like my mother did

last year we were laughing
we sang in church so beautifully
now her perfume’s on the bathroom counter
and I’m sitting in the back pew crying

I just get home and then I leave again
it’s long ago and far away
now we’re skimming stones and
exchanging rings
and scattering and sailing from departure bay

a song plays on the gramophone
and thoughts turn back to life
we took the long way to get back
like driving over the malahat
now a seaplane drones and time has flown

I won’t miss all the glamour
while my heart is beating and the lilacs bloom
but who knew when I started
that Id find a love and bring him home

just get me there and one we will stay
a long time off and far away
now we’re skimming stones and
exchanging rings
we’re scattering and diving in departure bay