Death of a Sailor

Written May 20, 1990

He lies beneath the waves

The crimson foam rushes to shore

The gulls cry out his requiem

Unto the sea for evermore

The water violent, water calm

A friend to friend or foe

Elegies are but easy

For the one who lies below

Death doth come and carry away

A quite mortal shipmate

For he never knew what life was about

Before it was too late