Saturday 16 July 2011

The Sailor’s Mistress


When the cargo is loaded and all falls quiet
The sea itself is calling, 
Beckoning the sailor out there beyond the dock. 
His mistress is waiting 
Where the river meets the sea. 
He has no real knowledge of what her reaction will be
When he sails out to meet her. 
She may greet him in a calm, balmy mood,
Like a gentle lover entwining him in her arms, 
Leaving him refreshed and happy when they part. 
It might be that she is angry 
And will meet him with unmatched violence 
A violence which beats upon the senses 
And leaves the lovers drained and exhausted, 
Ready to rush apart , 
Ready to find a place of peace and quiet 
Not the feeling of complete satisfaction. 
Like all lovers, the sea and the sailor
Will never quite know what moods will greet them when they meet
Or how the mood can change very quickly.  
This is the excitement of the sea.  
Every time a ship leaves port,
The sailor approaches that love 
With a mixture of exhilaration and apprehension. 
Will they together make beautiful love under a clear blue sky 
Or will they fight? 
It is not for the sailor to subdue the sea 
But to live with her moods 
In the hope that he can survive.
The sea is calling, always calling 
As a lover calls.

No comments:

Post a Comment