The Open Sea

Passing on the water’s edge
And wrinkling some time
You set your mind on moving along.
Pacing forth with pant-less breath
In the shade of the shadow-less palms—
Gold pastures of dawn—
O, the open sea …
Though the tides are new and high
Your eyes are anchored still to some old ideas
And some effortless tricks
That comfort you and hold you
While the fleas and flies still bite
Like the salty air on steel
O, what do you still feel?
Passing from the water’s edge
And tending the lines
You set your mind on moving along.
For well beyond the breakers' crash
Harvests of the blue horizon’s loom
Will offer a new and open sea
That weaves the stars and deep—
Reasons for our faith—
As the currents state and set to reveal
O, what you do still feel!
They’ll comfort you and carry you
Where the aging canvas fills
And the salty air you’ll feel…