Voyages

My life has been a voyage from start to finish.

 

 

 

My life on the outward journey

so far off I had not a clue

Leagues and leagues yet to go

passed the rum with the rest of the crew

 

For many a year the winds blew favor

upon my life’s journey and quest

Stopped at many a port in the storm

but for few, have forgotten the rest

 

Many the souls with which I started

at a score plus maybe three years

Have fallen prey to life's rough way

washed to sea along with their tears

 

Wind swept decks of my old ship

where I've lived, loved and wept

Well-worn friends who shared my fate

rode the seas on which we slept

 

It came one night there were fewer days

ahead than there had been behind

Found myself gazing to morning light

toward homes loving ties that bind

 

But the sea between here and there

be rough like the tempest shrew

Fighting the wind to sail the waves

tossed and thrown in the churning brew

 

Keeping the bow pointed for home

with the wind or against as we tack

Push for port through the fading light

look ahead and never look back

 

I turn for port thinking of you

as voyages end where they start

Time this sailor found his way home

to touch the warmth of hearth and heart

  $12.50

Author's Note

I pray all I am, all I may ever be, can be found in the hearts of those I have loved.
And who have dared to love me. As in the times of the ancient mariner we all hear the call of sirens that gesture us to sail home. Continuity of purpose flows from the wellspring of our lives. In the end we all find we are drawn inexorably home, to the hearth from around which we told our tales of long ago and spun our yarns of a life well lived. The well spent life will always beckon from the winds of change a call for home.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

What a wonderful poem, beautiful words but so much more buried beneath them. There really is something in comparing life with sailing the high seas, weathering storms, lying in the doldrums and all that .. and of course, the proximity of people you live and love amongst ..

'Keeping the bow pointed for home with the wind or against as we tack ~ Push for port through the fading light looking ahead and never look back'

Think this is one of your best .. love it.

[Jordan]

that is beautiful.. It seems that every time I read one of your poems I like it more than the one I read last.. lol they grow and develop in complexity and beauty as you write. Love 'em!!!

[Brokensoul]

Loved the simplicity of verse . We all are seafarers in the voyage of life.

[Charles]

Sometimes, when writing poetry, everything seems to come together - as it does in this poem. the story is great (as a story and because it rings so true). In this effort, you have varied the meter more than some of your other work.... this works fine here (and I suspect that it would work even better if you let the meter wander just a bit more). Your rhyming sequence (abcb throughout) is perfect and all the more commendable because there are no strained/inverted sentences. I usually read poetry with the sound off on my computer, but listened to the song that came with this one - it's a perfect match. One of your best efforts, I'd say. :-)

[Tina Kline]

Great way to describe life as a journey and longing to come back home.

[Helen Crutchett]

Absolutely fantastic poetry! You write with such conviction and beauty. This is going into my favorites. Top marks poet I enjoyed this so much. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and soul again with us.

[LisetteCanWrite!]

Really powerful rhythm, rhyme and flow with a great story being told within. You have a real talent for these styles of writings that are very serene and make a reader feel at home. Beautiful and I just loved the ending.. nothing like home sweet home!

[Sean Allen]

Beautiful, I love good poetry! Good poetry about the sea is even better.
From my back porch I can see the replica Slave ship Amistad as it sails to ports around the world. I have been blessed to have met the man who built her and a young man who sailed on her.

[Lilly]

A prayer prayed by many I am sure. - Lovely piece, beautiful concept, very well written and summed up so perfectly in the last stanza.

[happy girl]

That was really good. Great job :D