Alone at Sea

 Alone At Sea

 

Alone in my little ship

Tossed with bois’trous waves and wind

He rests in hinder part asleep

And wakes I know not when.

 

‘Neath cloudless skies we set the sail

And at his pleasure journeyed hence

Our aim the other side to pass—

He felt so near me then.

 

The ship now full, He sleepeth still

Whilst I labor sore afraid

Through years of troubled seas and dark

Few mem’ries linger of the shore

 

The wet and gloom drain aching limbs

I feebly cling to stern and oar,

Ever watchful for his stirring

‘Mid fear He wakes for me no more.

 

Wake, Dear Master! Wake! I perish!

Rebuke the winds and waves and dark

E’en thy censure would I cherish

To sense thy hand ‘gainst tempest’s roar

 

****

 

he did not wake.

he left me.

To face the threat’ning storms alone

I kept a faithful watch (and wept)

Confused why he had gone

 

Years later now, and still at sea

And somehow yet my ship afloat

I chart my own course toward the shore

In view of others’ kindly boats

 

I doubt now if he ever was —

That he was near at even tide

And yet,

I shouldn’t mind to see him there

When I reach the other side.