The Boatman Poem by Marilyn Shepperson

I stood on the bank of a dark, deep river
A boat was crossing over, poled by a man
Though hooded and cloaked, I knew it was no woman
'I am Charon', he said, as the boat came to land
I bowed my head, asked, 'Is it time? '
He replied, ' For you, no, not yet
I only needed to talk with someone
Someone that is, that isn't dead
I am reduced to a beggar; I miss the old days
For nobody now pays the boatman'
Then I awoke and was glad to find
It was only a dream or was it.