The Mighty Ocean

I looked across the sea and felt, insignificant at vastness helped
By the changing moods of the place, the sea so calm then an angry place  
Where a storm of some proportion, had devastated land near the ocean
I witnessed nature in angry mood, an awesome sight from where I stood
Lightning flashes a thunder crash, made me tremble and stand aghast
Fishermen face this prospect ever near, a fool would say without fear
They venture out further a field, as fish supplies reduce their yield
To waters where the ice flows free, and icebergs are a hazard at sea
      Cold waters where they now invade, are catches that are highly paid
      The women at home scan the horizon, for some signs from god Poseidon
      And when sighted what an a-to-do, as they come ever nearer into view
Counting numbers that all is well, to welcome them home a spell
Everyone there see them come home, a good catch will hardship atone
For worry left for them that stay, soon forgot celebrating the day
Tales are told of their time at sea, of ghost ships and mermaids three
What to believe or what is folklore, is anyone’s guess when on shore
There’s always stories and jest, the White Whale and Marie Celeste
Odd things happen when out to sea, don’t happen on land we agree
      Nets repaired and boats ready inside, ready to sail at first tide
Once more they go to search for shoals, of fish to fill their hungry holds                                                                                                                                              
One boat has luck and had a good catch, filled full and a battened hatch
      
Triumphant the Captain’s horn blasts; off home he signals other crafts
The boat is overfull and answers slow, to the Captains command to go
Clouds have gathered and so the swell, trouble ahead he rings the bell
Check the hatches is the cry, hurry up he says as he looks up at the sky
The boat slides down a water valley, shakes like a dog and begins to rally
Keeping her head into the winds storm, they are battered but not forlorn
Each man tied onto safety lines, no respite in this fight or let up signs
Like eternity it seemed like forever, suddenly a break in the weather
Cries of joy from all the crew aboard, hard work and faith in their Lord
They made it home in the moonlight, and knew they were lucky that night
Next day they watched arrivals of other crews, all home but one overdue
The day wore on with still no sign, of the missing boat of the fishing line

The Captain called the crews together; we go to search in stormy weather
Every man ready to search the sea, the next time it might be you or me
To the boats they rush to get the tide, every man jack none to abide
Fanned out wide was their plan, to search far and wide as they could scan
A cry is heard from the bridge ahoy, some flotsam or maybe a buoy
A lifebelt with the boat’s name on, a sign that the boat could be gone
Then a cry from aloft I see a sign, a white cloth waving from a pole line
As they get closer so they behold, the hull appeared where she rolled
No upper structure, wheelhouse bare, wallowed the boat beyond repair
The crew lay exhausted inside the bottom, luck that the seekers saw them
With joy untold to see their mates, that they thought had watery fates                                                                                                                                                            
Telegraph from ship to shore to tell, of lucky shipmates saved from hell
Into harbour they all returned home, with horns blowing and flags flown
This round was won by the fleet, against the odds wind storm and sleet
Unsung heroes where ere they be, these men of the ocean and the sea
      In the taverns such tales are told, of rescues at sea and pirates gold
Amazed tales of what can be in the net, when fishing and what you get
Like tales of the great white shark, ruining the nets of the Cutty Sark
This monster eight metres in length, attacked with its great strength
Its head as large as a humpback whale, teeth as sharp as a six inch nail
It bit a chunk out of the boat’s port side, then pushed them far and wide
Faster at a terrible pace, like hell bent destruction would be the case
Then dived until there was not a sound, the crew listening and then found
A commotion like never seen before, as the shark came through the floor
The boat sunk in the water like a stone, crew dead except one man alone
The only one saved to tell the tale; he never went to sea again he’s frail
He will tell you with wheezes and pain, at night he sees the shark again
Relives in terror of that terrible sight, of when his hair turned white

A silence of respect begins to form, each man thinking of the storm
They sat round the table together, fishermen talking about the weather
Unpredictable forces beyond control, which can torture your very soul
To make you wonder if your time has come, or will you see the rising sun
With this sobering line of thought, another round of drinks was bought
Then someone would say I remember when, and another tale began again
Oh! What a pleasure it must be said, with your mates when evening fades
That camaraderie that is found in man, surely part of God’s eternal plan

Jamesretired