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Hush Now Sailor's Child

Hush now, my sweet child, 
 tho the wind howls wet and wild,
 the snows will fall again upon this barren land
 while inside we make our firmest stand.
Warm by the fire blaze, 
 the story will again be raised,
 the images thru the house will slip, 
 be not afraid as you bite your lip.
Silent and still, the candle flames flicker
 and heartbeat races fast and quicker,
 as the legendary story goes, 
 the ghost wore weathered sailor's clothes.
His face unclear and his voice barely a whisper,
 they say he was a shabby lonely drifter
 who made his way beyond the fielded trees 
 home from the ships and salty sea.
A sailor of a time long, long ago, 
 forgotten across the frozen snows,
 to dry land returned where he was birthed 
 to find the fields lay built open and unearthed.
Home he came but nothing remains the same,
 everything had changed, no one knew his name
 new fields were filled by figures unfamiliar
 and  he himself felt and seemed quite peculiar.
Wandering thru the streets at night
 he often whistled songs until the morning light
 and should you hear his lonesome call
 be not afraid, no, not at all.
The melody he plays is much like a riddle
 riding merrily upon the tremulous whistle
 calling out to those who are fearful and afraid-
 you are prisoners only of your self betrayed.
Greet the change with openness
 it can be curse or can be gift,
 but for this sailor home from the sea
 the waves rise up and down flowing in and out like destiny.
Hush now, my child and dream of majestic ships
 and sailors sailing on amazing trips
 returning home in time to find
 the child he left behind.

Roger Whitaker - The Last Farewell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGWs1HK8iDU

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017




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Date: 5/13/2020 2:01:00 PM
Powerful. Well penned, DM.
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Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry