Two Stories

They row all night and day
to be first to the port.
The king hears their tale, hides them
in a crypt-like chamber
to await his daughter's story:
of a tragic death on board,
the caring help of the captain,
a sea burial… Her face
alters as a door opens
and her husband steps out
into the plain light of day.
Old justice will have her
set sail with her captain
in a damaged boat
he cannot stop from sinking —
and so fulfil her dream of
a companioned exit,
a love-death, a life for a life.