Abandoned
ABANDONED
Standing here by the empty dock
Cruise ship sailed, maybe an hour ago
I readily admit that I was a little late
But I somehow knew it wouldn’t wait
The correct berth the cab didn’t know
And without my stuff, it’s six o’clock
At least I still have some local money
But the local language I do not speak
North African with French affectation
Some pidgin English is an aberration
By late tonight I will feel quite weak
So, finding a hotel won’t be funny
My passport at least shows my name
But here at night I don’t feel too safe
Find a telephone, make a call for aid
But no connecting flights, I’m afraid
I must appear as some helpless waif
At least I’ll make an insurance claim
But no easy solution comes to mind
Maybe hire a boat to the next port
If the cash I have will cover the cost
Without transport I am certainly lost
No card payments, I’d have thought
I’ll wander a bit and see what I find
While it was dark in the early hours
I paid a guy for me to cross the strait
On an overcrowded migrant dinghy
Like the silent rest, I was also clingy
Gibraltar was at least a British state
Not Spanish, and definitely ours
Copyright © Howard Osborne | Year Posted 2023
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