Farewell Summer

I have my farewell letter written

To the man working the ferry ramp…

He chalked my tires, guided the masses,

Escorted kids home from summer camp.

I thanked the seals for their display,

Adding their whiskers to a fish’s boil,

I thanked the grey whale at my mailbox,

For elevating my routine toil.

I hope I mentioned my forgiveness,

For Otis canceling the San Juan’s sail;

Me begging for crutches on the Chuckanut hike,

Along the Burlington Northern Rail.

I snapped a photo on the way home;

The roiling jade green ferry’s wake…

Passing out through the Salton Sea Passage,

More fun than our bodies could take.