He comes to shore

one last time
but there is no one waiting. 
He eyes the empty sands
for a long moment,
and then pushes off again.
Laying himself and his oar down
in the boat,
he lets the river carry him.
She shushes and murmurs below him,
Do not go.
He smiles into the dark cavern
and tells her
 he trusts her to bring him
to the other shore
at last
at last.