~The Weathered  Sailor~

He’s the weathered Sailor

Perched ‘top his mighty vessel

His shrewd eyes have seen the world

Now he’s broken and battered

With clothes that are tattered

And hands e’er permanently curled.

“O Captain, my Captain”

With praises abounding

The voices cried long ago

When he was of younger day

Not so wizened and gray

And the one you wanted to know.

His mind, treasure untroved

Buried ‘neath sands of time

Forgotten, due to adolescent pride

Now he’s lost all respect

‘Cuz he’s old and decrepit

Trapped in the pull of the tide.

He fights daily to survive

Burning memories and keepsakes

A heartbreaking excuse of a man

Once a swarthy Sealord

Now he can’t even afford

A decent retirement plan.