two men walk down a deserted street,
rehearsing stories of yesteryears

one told the other about the sea
of drunk ******
of drunk *****
of island girls
of island gales
of itchy groins and yellow skin
of comrades buried in watery grave
of staring death in the eye
of salvation and peace he found

there was a glint in his eyes

pray tell,
he said to the other's listening ears,
what adventure made you this sad?
what tale turned your gold to sand?

he sighed and plucked a roadside flower,
pulled off the petals one by one,
stooped and placed them beside his feet,
gently he, crushed em, one by one

one man looked on
and when he finally found his voice,
he quaked:

"I'll always be here for you", they said.
Then they left.