Standard (EADGBE)

 I had this dream where I relished the fray

 and the screaming filled my head all day.

 It was as though I'd been spit here, settled in,

 into the pocket of a lighthouse on some rocky socket,

 off the coast of France, dear.

 One afternoon, four thousand men died in the water here

 and five hundred more were thrashing madly as parasites might

 in your blood.

 Now I was in a lifeboat designed for ten and ten only,

 anything that systematic would get you hated.

 It's not a deal nor a test nor a love of something fated-(uh).

 The selection was quick, the crew was picked (in order)

 and those left in the water got kicked off our pantleg

 and we headed for home.

 Then the dream ends when the phone rings, you doing alright

 he said it's out there most days and nights,

 but only a fool would complain.

 Anyway Susan, if you like, our conversation

 is as faint as a sound in my memory,

 as those fingernails scratching on my hull.