That Ferry Laugh

Ticket tap at the pier, paper cups of iced tea
You point at the river and nudge my sleeve
I fumble the straw, a splash tags my shirt
You burst into laughter, I join, alert

Ferry hum, metal seats, afternoon breeze
You tuck my collar and pat it dry for me

You said: No big deal
I said: Hold still, come here
We grin until the moment turns sweet

That ferry laugh, we lost the plot
You pulled me close, my tea ran down
You straightened my sleeve, I warmed your hands
Then and there we learned our easy plan
That ferry laugh, that softer hold
We kept each other through the roll

Plastic bags on my wrist, basil and rice
You carried the heaviest one without a sigh

A dog eyed our skewers, the ferry jerked
We bumped into each other and both checked: You okay?
You dabbed my cheek with a napkin edge
I looped your arm and we leaned the same way

You said: You first, slow down
I said: I've got you, stay near
We count to three and find our beat

That ferry laugh, we lost the plot
You pulled me close, my tea ran down
You straightened my sleeve, I warmed your hands
Then and there we learned our easy plan
That ferry laugh, that softer hold
We kept each other through the roll

When days run long, we replay that scene
A spill on a shirt turns tender and clean
If one of us slips, the other one stays
Arms first, words later, we steady the day

That ferry laugh, we lost the plot
You pulled me close, my tea ran down
You straightened my sleeve, I warmed your hands
Then and there we learned our easy plan
That ferry laugh, that softer hold
We kept each other through the roll

Ferry docks, hands linked
We keep that laugh with us

That ferry laugh, we lost the plot
You pulled me close, my tea ran down
You straightened my sleeve, I warmed your hands
Then and there we learned our easy plan
That ferry laugh, that softer hold
We kept each other through the roll