Stars Over Jupiter

The tradewinds are in from the Gold Coast

They rattle the palms with their Xmas lights

Like candy canes in the Florida nighttime. 

It reminds me when we walked the harbour 

the songs of the holidays, the bells of the church

Playing for us by the lighthouse door.

Tonight the trades sing a different tune.

I’m always slow to see the fronts coming in

Last to know, first to regret not putting up shutters

A drowning pilgrim left up on the lee shore.

Too busy singing carols round the Xmas trees

Under the starry dome tonight above Jupiter.

She tried hard to help me, it isn’t her fault

I’m selfish and I’m silly and hard to reach.

But she loved me so strong it made me 

weak in the knees. So tonight, for her, I 

consecrate the pelicans diving for supper

And the breakers crashing by high tide.

Oh, I wish I had a boat I could sail away on.