Sailing
Sailor-mind, see to the course
Pull the sheet to stretch the sail.
Heart-mast, feel the head-wind,
Heel to lee and haul the boat.
Body, bones and rigging, bear the heart-tug,
Brace your keel against deep water
Whole boat, work to windward,
Thrilling, leap across the waves!
Landsman, listen to this warning:
Do not love too much sea’s sirens
Set course to an unknown shore,
Shudder lest you drown asleep at sea.
Water’s mysteries are one thing,
Wonder-filled new world is quite another.
Make fast the tendrils
Of your sailor’s faith on far land.
Keep the boat seaworthy ’til it beaches,
Frail bark which bears your emptiness.
Forge your westering return to
Pass the flaming sword, then find the Trees.
Feed your hungry crew upon the fruit of life
Finer than the one that Adam tasted.
Laugh at Lord and Lizard both:
Be now, Returner, larger than Creation.