A Mantle for Charon

Before I learned just what I was I took the train to town
Watching all the other wandering eyes attached to vacant frowns
They seemed to lack a sense of place or maybe they lacked the means
Just like me, though I was keen to leave a trace

Before I rode on Charon's boat I sat beside the lake
Keeping count of all the efforts that my paltry heart still made
& when I looked out from the bow I felt my age in my knees
Losing lease on every promise held in days I'd never see

As we vanished into mist I spied the spider spinning several webs
To fool his friends into a comforting embrace
He steeled himself & stole their wind cos none of them had the wiles
Just like me, so we have gleaned our coup de grace

I sewed up a mantle in which I could dwell
So it didn't matter a stitch if I was in hell
& though I hadn't treated myself very kindly
I tried to hide the lantern with which he might find me