the ferryman

The parable of the ferryman

begins with security,

a hawser stretched

from bank to bank,

from here to there,

from going to coming.

The sure connection

of the ferryman

the only link

between the passengers

and the surety

of safe passage.

One mediator

between the argument

of current

and the shore of destination.

There is no luck involved,

no spin of die or toss of coin,

but selfless dedication

to the task in hand.

Life may be the river

coursing across our bows

with curses

the thief of souls.

The ferryman

is our salvation.

The ferry across the Wye at Symonds Yat (in the picture) consists of a punt type boat which is drawn across the river by the boatman hand over hand on a wire stretched from bank to bank. He steers the boat with his feet, compensating for the flow of the river - quite a feat of skill.