the life raft

an elderly group
of four women
and one man
are discussing egg
whites.
you see them
at a large round table
in the steak house
restaurant
that leans towards
cowboy land
with antlers
and boots
on shelves.
badly painted
prairies with
blue horses
and cows. they
are dressed in
church clothes, two
women in leopard
print shawls,
the man with a clip
on bird blue tie.
their lives have
led them here.
at the same table,
together.
surviving on the raft
given to them
or chosen.
it doesn't matter
which, they are afloat
still after
all these years.