I Always Knew

I Always Knew

This great wide lapis ocean
Of sweet, alluring blue.
The moment I was born,
I was born for you.

Spacious, salty canyon
Of giant, awesome birth,
Your boundaries spread far out
Across this splendid earth.

The key rides high among the stars –
The peaceful moon, your bride.
Roaring waves crash in a tumult –
Changing is the tide.

Pacific, glittering surface,
Atlantic, icy keep!
Oh, ruthless, charming sea,
Brilliant, passionate deep!

Your deceiving swells so gentle,
Your lacy tips so meek;
Above the oily shallows,
Your silky surface sleek.

But cradled neath your waves
The silent, darkened deep,
Where broken ships, defeated,
Among the fishes creep.

Many the brave explorer
Feared your silent crypt.
And many the greatest champion
Fell victim to your grip.

Yes, captain, sailor, pirate, –
Soldier, pilot, crook, –
Those who hoped and feared,
Those who helped and rooked.

Their bones lie on the floor,
The soft and sandy bed,
Where sea meets rock and ridge
And slumber's found instead.

No turmoil down under here,
Naught but the looming shape
Of a harmless fish nearby,
And blessed, sweet escape.

I was born for open sea,
For ships and sails and masts.
It's in my blood and in my blood
Twill remain until the last.

Not all the dirt and hills for me –
I could not tread on solid land.
The furthest I could stray from you
Was up the bar of sand.

From the first of many breaths,
This I always knew:
That you would be the end of me,
No matter what I'd say or do.

And now those breaths expire,
As I sink into your lair.
The storm rises around me,
Yet still I have no fear.

Within these icy waves
I know my bones will rest
With many a worthy sailor,
Cradled on his breast.

And still with my last glance,
There's naught I'd rather see
Than my love, the grand marine,
Rising up to take me.

Even now, among the thunder,
A smile can touch my lips.
For I loved you from the first
And now, at life's eclipse.

I know twill never change –
I'll adore you till the end.
And beyond the pause of death,
As in life, I'll love you, friend.

I know that I was born for you,
That I would die for you.
That you would be the end of me –
This I always knew.