Mark, Toby

A broken barge

on barren land.

And washed ashore,

a single man.

His name was Mark

in the distant past

and Toby too,

still further back.

See, Mark, Toby

found great love once.

He loved a man

for but a month

Before then, lost 

And so unsure

Saved by this man,

Finally secure.

But love their way

transgressed the throne

And for simple love,

was each disowned.

He was sent South,

His love the North,

Apart forever,

That moment forth.

But never? Not ever?

It just wouldn’t be.

He wouldn’t have it,

Mark, Toby

So he rides this barge,

and lets it crash.

And washed ashore,

he waits, collapsed.

For a new hero

of a Northern land

to see his peril,

and offer hand

And sure enough,

each time they do.

They say their name,

but “Who are you?”

And this is the moment

in months at sea,

that gives him hope,

our Mark, Toby.

For each failed hero 

Not his love indeed

He fakes a name

And hits the sea

But one day soon,

Years five, or ten

He hopes he’ll be saved

By his love again.