Old Ship

I feel like an old ship Anchored in the bay, Too old and slow To battle storms Or haul the freight That pays the way. I’ve had my turns On stormy seas And danced on waves That threatened me. I’ve spent my time On misty isles And slept with strangers In lonely ports. I’ve heard the songs That nature sings And drunk the wine Of slower times. . . . Now . . . The journey’s over The mellow, harbor lights Of yesterday Are gone. I’m anchored in the bay And people come to see This old ship Whose memories hang, Like shrouds of rope, Down from the mast. And, younger ships have come To take my place upon the sea.
Written while visiting the ship, "Star of India," in San Diego
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Brown Avatar
March 9, 2012 at 12:24 PM
A belated congratulations on your poetry being featured this week William. Love, Carol
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
March 5, 2012 at 6:51 PM
Congrats William on "Old Ship" being featured. I can relate to this being an old sailor.
George   Avatar
August 20, 2011 at 5:56 AM
Brilliant metaphor William. I come from a long line of Mariner's - My grandfather and his father and father before him were Master Mariner's of the tall ships and I love the ocean. Thank you for your kind comments on my poem 'The Shore of Evermore'. Elaine
Baity Avatar
August 11, 2011 at 4:19 PM
this is great William, thanks for sharing!!!!!
Brown Avatar
August 11, 2011 at 2:49 PM
It was a pleasure to read your very interesting writing today William. Thank you for posting your poetry for us all to read and enjoy. Hoping you have a wonderful inspiration filled day. Love, Carol
Sivey Avatar
August 10, 2011 at 7:13 PM
Awesome, truly awesome! Thanks for sharing!!
B Avatar
August 10, 2011 at 5:30 PM
I believe I've heard of that ship. All the lovely tales it could tell, sure would be swell, okay no more but definitely a beautiful poem in tribute to such a fine ship William.
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