Forced Retired:

Stormy nights stormy days

cold blank grey canvas

stretched as far as the eye can see

rain drops and wind

hailing soaking 

within me so

old and tired

broken and torn 

and run down

the old pier isn't what she was

holding folks fast

with her stunning beauty

sights and sounds

that drew them 

from afar and near

trams and lines

all leading to her front court

where depart they did

to sounds of awe

her twinkling lights

beacons at night

as waves washed her feet

keeping her clean so

children would run along her boards

and workers polished her beams

a lick of paint after the winter

ready to reveal herself

once more to the public

as if regal in her stand

now these are but memories

as she slowly slips away

into the ocean that held her so

but even in her final throes

beautiful she is

and will be in the minds 

of all that ever walked 

her oak boards

perhaps one day

afore it too late

someone will come

and throw a life line

an save the old girl yet

for in her timbers

there's life yet

and just one more act

she would surely do

just to hear the smiles and woos

of a public less then ordinary

~X~