the life we borrow

he talks of fish,
as if
he's talking about a lover.
how the early
sun rises
and falls upon his face,
warming him.
how he slips into his high
boots
to wade out into
the low tide,
casting out into
the calm sway of river,
then waiting. she'll come
he says,
she always does. you'll see.
my bucket will be filled.
and tonight we shall
eat
by the fire, our cheeks
full of this life
we borrow.