The Mariner

the eyes of the old mariner knew

the sea was roiling and rough

they saw that the birds were few

and knew that a port would not come soon enough.

they saw the harrowed captain

as he bowed before the storm

and heard him shout his orders in vain

and knew their only hope was the morn.

The wind picked up inevitably

and the ship began to sway

the waves tore like the arrows of the Sea

through the flesh of the ship that day.

The crew scurried about with urgency

to try and beat the beast

but the wind and waves were the regency

and the sailors were the feast.

There is a time for courage and acts

and this the old sailor knew

but now was no time to retract

the sea had won their souls that day–it was time to pay their dues.

so he sank to his knees

and gave back to the seas

what all along it had wanted back.