For Phyllis

Most small boats get worn out fast

Woodbury Snow’s punts for the lobstermen

in past years powered by oars

a hand made kayak canvas over a wood frame

on  Damariscotta Lake

There are and were small boats across Maine

each one a living museum exhibit

Mr. Sharp is worried about eternity

thinking another, bigger building

will attract kids for a maritime school

that has not happened yet

with the building he already has

my point is that the building will be forty feet high

directly across the street from our front window

that gives our house light and honor

what our friend, Susan Connolly called 

a ten million dollar view

I’m quite surprised the architect didn’t come by

and ask us our opinion of her design

which affects us so radically

The Merriam boys had a rowboat built by a Snow

for a Billy ? from Boston, a summer visitor

and us

we rowed and rowed and passed it down

so many enjoyed it until it wore out

maybe the memory is more important than the skiff

our view more important

in our few declining years

than Captain Sharp’s dreams of immortality

so we hope he will withdraw his project

or the  board will not approve

before we a are rowed across the fateful Styx

Kendall Merriam, Home, 12/3/19  12:35 PM

Listening to Phyllis make phone calls.