Free verse № 46550
Hunting for a vessel
Do tall ships
visit you every year?
Do they fit
in the depths of your bay?
Do they brandish
all of their sails full billowing?
Or reserve, for the right wind.
Are their hulls of sturdy wood,
without decay, or infestation?
Or are they merely painted over.
Are they over-armed,
or ill- balanced?
Are they capable
of carrying your needs?
Do they sail
the way you wish to sail?
Is there enough oil
to supply the lanterns?
Are the ropes and lanyardsfrayed?
Are the block and tackle
well maintained?
The deck clean and
pilothouse tidy?
Are the masts secured
to the bark well?
Can the helmsman
understand and interpret a chart?
Is he of good health
and able to steer through
the ugliest of storms?
Can he read the wind?
Study them.
Study them all.
Still,
watch for the junk.
Tirelessly bobbing,
weaving through the market.
Looking for you.
8 comments
Really good!
On first reading, it really flowed, and the images strong.
Good good.
Is there adequate oil
to supply the lanterns?
too many questions; yes must be the answer.
why must you always have it your way?
Log in to add a comment.