Salt And Memory

Lyrics and concept by me; music and cover image generated using AI tools. Lyrics On this shore before the dawn Hands on wood worn smooth and thin Pushes out to meet the tide Engine low, the day begins On the other shore before the dawn Hands on wood worn smooth and thin Pushes out to meet the tide Engine low, the day begins On this shore he drifts out slow Motor fades and water breaks Nets uncoiled and cast in arcs Trust the sea for what it makes On the other shore he drifts out slow Motor fades and water breaks Nets uncoiled and cast in arcs Trust the sea for what it makes Sun comes up the same for both Burns the mist from off the sea Different words for what they ask Same old work and same small need Salt and memory In the rope and in the skin Salt and memory In the places we have been Ships go by like moving walls Never hearing either call Salt and memory Same for me and same for him On this shore he eats alone Bread and fish and bitter tea Diesel on the morning air Salt and heat and open sea On the other shore he eats Bread and fish and something warm Fuel and salt upon the wind Counting days between the storms On this shore he knows the time Sun and shadow mark the way Turns a little where he stands Lowers his head above the spray On the other shore he knows Time has come the same as this Faces where his fathers faced Quiet words upon his lips On this shore the engines pass Giants moving through the blue He looks up and tracks their wake Like there’s something they all knew On the other shore they pass Black against the burning sky He looks up and wonders still Who they serve and drifting by Salt and memory In the rope and in the skin Salt and memory In the places we have been Ships go by like moving walls Never hearing either call Salt and memory Same for me and same for him On this shore the daylight fades On the other shore the same Water keeps no mark of lines Only men who give them names