Terra firma
Ahoy!
O boy —
what sight
better, pray, than night
bright turned by deep
beam’s guiding sweep
of light,
left to right:
twinkling wink
like a link
ere you think
swim or sink
must come to pass,
an impasse — at last!
— Welcome
home —
To eyes’ strain,
shine or rain,
day or dark,
that promise stark
— of goal
past last shoal —
of safe haven
conceives craven
thanks
for yon bank
— usual disbelief
dispersed by reef —
of terra firma: land,
red-lit of bland,
small matter
when constant batter
of mast-high waves
craves
respite;
despite
what shore
holds in store:
hero’s fete
or worse fate
— e’en reception cannibal,
a carnival
to district flame-lit:
to wit:
dangers past
fade fast
in one’s mind
when one finds
our allotted lot
may be in pot
as guests chief
of chef
— salvation sweet
would drown the beat
of waves on ship,
deep danger’s whip
no longer
stronger
than natural bent
— worse, hoard aboard unspent
on wine, song and whore
following salt-laden bore
— Yet this feast
at least
offers fighting chance:
musket ’gainst lance,
grapeshot
a sauce hot;
no retreat, advance
— perhaps cause for dance
of thanksgiving
for living
(to fight,
not succumb to bite)
through the storm,
when bad form
made prayer fateful trait
continuous and immediate
as towering waves
none braves
given choice
— with one voice,
the crew
made vow true
to change their ways;
promised to pay,
let naught sway
or lead astray
new-found faith
— heretofore a wraith —
from its due:
change of heart new
— though once in port
’twould take effort
to recall
the imminent fall
off world’s edge,
unseen hedge
which, we pray,
itself falls prey
— for courage
’til next voyage.
— On the beach,
for nonce, plant cross
— our furthest reach,
to natives’ loss.
