A Thousand Farewells Across the Sea
As the sea glittered bright in the late afternoon,
the sun splashed the sky with orange light.
Soon like a giant orange ball it would disappear,
as if into the sea.
Waves danced with caps of white
and her thoughts were taken aback to a gentler time.
A time when their love was new –
when everything was as fresh as the morning dew.
Then came discordance and anger,
she remembered that he had felt lost and despondent.
Came the day she had dreaded and he said he’d return to the sea.
Her sailor had come ashore to give her love and passion forever more –
but the sea was a mightier mistress than she.
His love for the sea was a true love
and the land was his enemy.
He was forever longing for the gentle sway of a ship,
beneath his feet and not the solidness of the ground he trod.
She knew it wouldn’t be long,
before it would be crying time.
She vowed to be strong,
many a night while he slept,
tossing in dreams of the sea calling out to him.
She would wander in the moonlight along the shore,
talking to his mistress and begging the sea not to call him back.
The love they shared was not without passion,
but she wasn’t and would never be the majestic and wondrous sea,
therefore she was lacking.
So came the dawn when her sailor said ship ahoy
and proudly stepped on board.
He stood on deck all trim and proud,
as the morning sun rose overhead.
She had watched as the ship became a pinpoint in the distance –
then had gone home to say good-bye in her heart.
Now the day had come to an end
and she still had many farewells to send.
So now here she stood once again,
looking out toward the sea as the sun set,
throwing rose petals upon the waves hoping they’d send her final farewells,
to her love who’d gone away.
Feeling small and helpless against a mistress so mighty,
she wished she had had the strength and love to make him stay
and she wished that he had had the want,
to be content in her arms –
farewell my love forever more.
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Hi, Rasma. Your poem is sad as it is beautiful. There something about the sea – captivating yet haunting at the same time. You bring both sides out equally. Thank you.
You welcome William. The sea has always inspired me.
Great poem Rasma and reminds me of one I wrote about the sea calling a man away. I guess it is very true as hard as it is to imagine and you have a great version of the pain that is felt.
Thank you Jackie. I do believe there are many sailors out there who do better upon the waves than upon hard land.
Love can be so very beautiful and also very painful when one cannot give their all to it. Very well-written poem, Rasma. In her mind she must become one with the sea to be forever in his heart.
Thank you Phyllis.
Nice work Rasma, of the sailor and his love forlorn. A greater mistress indeed, those true sailors who cannot remain on land for long. Well penned with some beautiful imagery and emotive verse. Nicely worded.
Thank you Tony.