THE SKY SHIP

Cloud gazing, a tragedy plays out for the watcher.

Clouds flowed
Across the sky,
And as I stood in awe,

A mass of white
Took form and shape
And suddenly I saw

A mighty sky-ship
Sail along,
Spinnakers unfurled,

Through blue and empty
Heavens, trailing
Wisps of other worlds.

Proud prow plunging
Through the waves
As specters of long dead

Seamen mouth
Their soundless words,
"Come about!" they said.

A broken line
Of reefs was seen,
By lookouts up on high,

Then white-capped waves
Came lashing up
From jagged edges nigh.

"Come about!"
I saw them shout,
Though nothing had I heard.

I saw the sky-ship
Sail straight through
The reef and on, and on.

Masts blow away,
It dissipates,
And suddenly...it's gone.