A Sailor Once

 

I was a sailor once, upon the sea,

Gazed on horizon, examined me.

Rising storms embraced the roll,

Teeming water, held my soul.

I hammered and climbed, reached

And pulled and leaned into the wind.

Lifted, shouted, hauled and swung,

Bold heart to windward bend.

I was a sailor once, dolphins at the bow.

Albatross soared the wake we’d plow.

Spraying salt would pervade my breath,

Reflected moon spoke watery death.

I was a sailor once, far. far away.

A sailor once, red sky at day,

A sailor once, no sight of land

A sailor once upon God’s hand.

Foreign ports and narrow eyes,

Piercing doubt, mischievous lies.

A sailor once, I rode the sea.

A sailor once ... will always be.