His Homage to the sea

"Speak to me of the sea grandfather." she asked
And he said, "enchanting."
The beauty of diamond waves lapping at the sand.
of the dark ghosts beneath the fiery red sky-
or the lightning that flashes in the black of night.
Of an albatross soaring above the emerald swells,
Of the life that lives beneath our vessel.
The beauty of the moonlight tasting the sea;
Of the wonderful worlds winking as we sleep.

She begged, "more grandfather, more of the sea,"
So he replied, "Power,"
Power to crumble steel hulls and splinter wood spars,
Or blow out canvas and snap chain cable;
To flood continents and drown islands,
Or Carry life to a barren lagoon;
To spawn deadly storms and wild hurricanes,
Or a blessed rain and fair monsoon.
The power of the hand she holds we call mother nature.

She said nothing but stared into his gray
eyes like that of the foam from the tide.
He said "theres more; Challenge"
The challenge of a shifting waltz,
Of a wild sea or a flat calm,
Of a torn lashing sail or an ebbed tide,
Of an iced deck and extreme temperatures.
Of uncharted waters or strange shores.
The challenge of legends and local lore,
should they come true its the challenge of being
prepared in all that we do.

She said, "Is there more?"
And the grandfather spoke.
"Fear."
The fear of a broken mast and rent sail,
Or having cabin fever set in and being alone.
Of shallow waters and the dangers unknown.
Of the deep ocean and mountainous waves;
Of the winds and raging typhoons,
Of lifeless puffs and starving crews.
The fear that Mother nature instills in those
who travel upon her sea.
Without ever thanking her for the beauty they
see.

So the little girl asked,
"And what is the sea to you grandfather,
why are we here?"
His tired eyes stared at her, his voice broken with despair.
The grandfather answered, "My life's Breath."
The breath of adventure and excitement,
Of challenge and wandering;
Happiness and fulfillment,
Despair and pain;
Of hope and youth,
Patience and yearning.
The breath that the sea breathes into my soul,
The last time I taste and see her beauty
before I pass from my painted world.