Precious Sail

Precious sail on whom the winds did prevail

When you were but young and pale

Filled you up and carried you in heavy gale

Who can tell of the hell cast in the open sea

When far out the wind cries away with thee

When black clouds the hull enshroud

And you reach out a friendly hand noble and proud

As you list from side to side in the heave and pitch

What devil, what witch would sling thee into watery ditch

But you were beautifully made and strong

Who would have predicted you’d round the horn

Not once, not twice but so many, many times in life

Only to spy the ice at the poles and the equator slice

No matter the sea squalls and ice, you had been tied thrice

Set tall and wide along the splintery oaken mast

From the time the silk was sewn your life was cast

Made like a morning mist ‘neath the sun, of finest silk

Embracing ocean’s breath with cloth, coursing o’er the wavy depth

Were you running away from terror or pursuing a dream

Both perhaps, in sailing’s up and down stormy scheme

With bell overhead and rippling flag the sound did nag

Bell Ringing, or tolling, then clanking out like a sea hag

Flag snapping, and cracking or hissing of something wrong

Yet sometimes happy like a bird you sang a joyful song

Sounding the depths and anchoring sunny safe harbor

Set about by children and pets playing in grass and arbor

Until the next journey to the cape should begin

Another battle with storm and sea to be won

The little seaside town kept vigil for your return

Spyglasses peering, tracking horizon up and down

Fiery sunset turned blackest night to reddened eyes

Then dazed sunrise catching salty hearts by surprise

Whitecaps riding sweeping gusts of shrieks and cries

Brought news, the lighthouse stood in disbelief and sighs

Your vessel had broken in violence against the reef

Sliding down watery embankments in tempest deep

But you, it is said, were broken free of moorings and taken

Carried up on high in beautiful display a by whirlwind in the sky

Dolphins, Terns, gulls, pelicans and pipers yet travel sea and coast

Hoping to see you in windswept coat and then to the world of your glory boast

But you are sure to be found in the heaving hearts of friends who loved you most

For Maggie May in fond memory of M. Shelley