Wherever my ship sails

[Maureen K Clifford]

“How happy is the sailor's life, from coast to coast to roam; in every port he finds a wife, in every land a home.”

Isaac Bickerstaffe quotes (Irish Playwright. 1735-1812)

Wherever my ship sails

The last hawser was cast off and tugs took the strain
and she moved slow away from the quay
where the wives, girlfriends, mothers and lovers were left
with sad tears on pale cheeks running free.
On the deck serried ranks in crisp uniforms white
were now manning the rails as she left,
all there stood at attention as proud as could be
but inside there were hearts quite bereft.

There were young blokes just married and some just engaged
there were old hands who’d done it before.
There were Fathers- to- be who had hoped to be there
when their child drew its first breath – on shore;
and these women will wail , many women will weep
as their sailor man sails far away
and as always the love for their sailor they’ll keep
but the sea is his mistress today.

There’s a fatal attraction ‘tween men and the sea
and it’s something that is old as time.
Is it sirens that call them from their homes on land?
Or are other attractions sublime
what are luring them, calling them, begging them come
from their womenfolk’s sweet warm embrace?
Is it thought of adventure and new worlds to see
that calls to them from a foreign place?

It has always been thus and no doubt still will be
for there’s many who’ve taken this path.
Other ports of the world bid them welcome you see
and there’s pretty girls to make them laugh.
Somewhere women will wail and somewhere women cry
as the man of their dreams sails away
and perhaps they were lovers and never would wed
but the sea is his mistress today.

And the sea is his mistress, his muse and his friend
she’s an enemy fierce should he stray
and his ship is a mistress in whose arms he lays
willingly at the end of each day.
It is her arms that lull him to sleep every night
Ship and sea both his mistress today.
It is useless to fight, just accept them – hold tight
for his love they will one day betray.

Maureen Clifford © 08/12

[Heather]

A good one for Fathers' Day Maurren. I recently a book on Captain Cook - what a dangerous life those sailors led. He was away for about 3 years on each of his voyages and quite often a great number of them died - often due to scurvey. True adventurers. It must have been hard for the women left at home - wondering, wondering...

Heather

[Neville Briggs]

The last stanza is particularly good Maureen.

I'd be no good at that, I got seasick once on a boat that was tied up at the wharf ( True ! )

[Terry]

Hi Maureen

I see where your beaut little verse in the Homework forum came from,
I really like those lines.

Terry

[Maureen K Clifford]

I think its hard for all women whose husbands are in the services Heather and they often have good reason to wonder

Never mind Neville there are always Quells Thank you for your kind comment

Thank you Terry - pleased you like it

Cheers

Maureen