I awakened at four

On the water by daybreak

The work is hard and wet

The time has come to rest my weary bones

But what do I do when this story ends

Time and idle hands may be the death of me

The yields have diminished

And my crew is but me

And as I pondered what came next

I do what I do daily

And seek refuge from my busy mind

At a tavern on the water

As I hoist my aging body from the boat

I tie it to the mooring and climb up the ramp

I hear familiar laughter and music in the air

I belly up to the bar

Here is my refuge from the toils of the day

Many men jammed the little tavern

Smelling of sweat whiskey and desperation

The hearty laughter betrays the foreboding

So we drink through our pain

Of muscle gone too far in the day

And wonder if this is all that there is

A tavern on the water