Time And Tide

My father-in-law gave me this poem and said I might like to post it on my blog.  He is very artistic and is working on a ship in a bottle and keeps taking every empty glass bottle I have.  (Pssst, I don't think the Allegro Marinade bottle is going to work, nor the hot sauce one.)

Pretty good poem, I think.

                                           Time and Tide

I must go down to the sea again

Away from pollution and din

And all I ask is a small ship

And a bottle to put it in.

So I'm heading nor-east to a wind-swept coast

And a sheltered cove that I miss the most.

And every day when the tide's at flood

I'll toast lost shipmates in "Nelson's Blood".

My vessel, fashioned of virgin pine

with top mast reaching for unseen skies

encased in a bottle that once held wine

will grace my mantel and be my shrine.

Screaming gannets and angry seas

To my ear, will be beautiful symphonies

I'll light my pipe and I'll fill my glass

And drink to my memories.

Of ships storm-tossed and seamen lost

On raging uncharted shoals.

Of Trinity Ledge and Georges Banks

Where the wind Atlantic rolls.

Of balmy nights and gentle winds

On South Pacific Isles

Of palm tree shades and dusky maids

With enigmatic smiles.

But the years have taken their toll and so

My sight is failing, my steps are slow

But the ships are calling and I must go

Where the tides of Funay ebb and flow.

Tonight I'll return to the clean salt air

The roaring breakers and curlew's scream

Eight bells will strike and I'll be there

Down to the sea, but only in dreams.

Comments

[loretta]

Aye. I like it! Well done, sir.

[ronni]

Hyacinth always said that Englismen have the sea in their veins. In Peter's case, she was obviously right. Good job!

[Nadine]

Very nice!