Nobody goes unsaved today

The ladies and gentlemen of the lifeboat crew
will not check for skin colour
before extending saintly fingers,
risking all so a stranger may live.
They know you cannot catch fear
through the meeting of lips,
the free donation of air
to buy another second.
The coxswain for today
heard the shorebound wails
of "All Lives Matter!",
and takes you at your word.
The ladies and gentlemen of the lifeboat crew
(volunteers, one and all)
hear your vague complaining
but respectfully beg to differ.
Their message rings clear and true,
buffered by winds it remains unswayed:
To those in peril on the sea,
nobody goes unsaved today.

Harry Gallagher