The Sea Captain

About the sea and lost love

The ship cut through savage waters, 

Drenched in an icy spray, 

Howling winds bent the mast, 

A dark shroud dimmed the day.

 

The surging sea made her roll, 

Tossing men on the weathered deck. 

They grasped at whatever they could, 

Adjusting the sails with a check.

 

The Captain exited his quarters    

observing the work that was required,    

But his thoughts were preoccupied    

by the woman he long desired.

 

In his hand, he clung to a letter, 

Worn and crumbled from his reading. 

Her final words etched in his mind, 

His sorrow beyond all conceiving.

 

He shut his eyes, facing the sea,    

It was his absolution, his peace    

His hand let go of the message,    

her lasting desertion released.

 

Hours dragged, the captain unseen,

Their labor slowed to a crawl.

The crew halted their frantic toil,

Resigned to the silence’s call.

 

Where the weathered men stood,

the air thick with a silent cry.

The Captain lay with distant eyes,

as shadows claimed him in the tide.  

   

They sang in a solemn hymn,

a mournful chant from their throat.

The vibration from their singing

carried as white spiraled notes.