Shipwright

To me, the wood’s a puzzle with a fate inside
For those who’ll live and love, who will crow and cry
A song in spar and strake’s released with bladed bite
Each splinter tells a tale
And through my working, so will I

For a boat begins in earth
And she’s married to the water
She’ll live her life in freedom
And by rock or fire she’ll founder
Through her, my hands will know the wind and swell
Through her, my hands might know the fire as well

The sail will stretch above her, reaching for the sun
She’ll strain against her ropes, impatient to be gone
With joy she’ll learn the dances of the proud and strong
Each heart will grow to trust her
And in time will learn her song

For a boat begins in earth
And she’s married to the water
She’ll live her life in freedom
And by rock or fire she’ll founder
Through her, my hands will know the wind and swell
Through her, my hands might know the fire as well

I’ve never left the land, but I serve the sea
A poet knows his Muse in all her majesty
My ships will meet the sunset and fly far and free
And when I’m gone
There’ll come someone
Whose craft remembers me

For a boat begins in earth
And she’s married to the water
She’ll live her life in freedom
And by rock or fire she’ll founder
Through her, my hands will know the wind and swell
Through her, my hands might know the fire as well

Perhaps through her I’ll know the fire as well