A Sailor's Tale

A Sailor's Tale


He somehow sensed when young in life
that he would never find a wife.
He realized instinctively
he'd spend his days upon the sea.

The day soon came, he had to leave;
he could not watch his mother grieve.
His father knew that words would fail,
though pleas were made, to no avail.

The boy walked on to meet his fate,
but later he'd recall the date.
Our hopes and dreams oft go astray;
life's not a game at which to play.

He found a ship and joined the crew;
once a boy, to a man he grew.
He was a friend to all he met
and lived a life with no regret.

He sailed the ocean, meeting folks,
knowing freedom, unbound by yokes.
He saw strange lands and diff'rent ways.
This trip would last all of his days.

He passed on his knowledge of good,
teaching the young: "Do what you should".
So many lessons over the years;
making them wiser, easing their fears.

He thought about joining this ride,
rememb'ring he wanted to hide.
But the voyage made him a man.
His motto was: "Do the best I can".

All through the years he recalled home
and thought about the choice to roam.
Wond'ring why he remained apart,
and why he broke his mother's heart.

The suns come up, quickly they set;
ere the day's done, much to do yet.
There's never, ever enough time;
blink of an eye, we've lost our prime.

As travelers finish their trip,
we can say it's been a good ship,
and those whom we may leave behind;
their words for us won't be unkind.

So many sailors on the same road;
make life better, help share the load.
All we can hope, when we go rest:
That we were loved and passed the test.

(c) Nov, 2006 Karl Arthur King