The Mariner and His Child
The Mariner and His Child
Through the mists and clouds of time
the mariner's lilting rhyme
floats dreamily on golden notes
while silent about the ship there floats
A mist of silver, stud by stars
their branches weave in piercing bars
about the ship and helm and mast
stronger than steel to hold there fast
by curse, an ever binding ban,
in cage of flame the foolish man
who to himself the curse had won
for kindest deed he would have done –
unto one proud and high to give
a hand of aid so she might live.
For on a time, while sailing out
from land and home he turned about
and saw as 'twere, a maiden fair
with skin of water and wind-made hair
in battle, in sea, with creature black
which would have won its foul attack
had not the mariner come to aid.
He slew the monster. And the maid
he took upon his ship to tend
her wounds so deep that she might mend.
His heart in pity swelled to see
her in such pain – child of the Sea.
Of qualm or worry he had not
to help the maid he had but sought.
So dire a thing for him to touch
him – a mortal – and doing such
bring one immortal to his hand.
Yet no wrong did he understand.
The maiden's wrath did blaze thence high
and uttered she a fatal cry
and called to sky, “Ye flame and Sea
come meet in light – bear no mercy –
but turn this hapless man away
and may he never find the day!”
A deepest sleep thereon him fell
and borne was he upon a swell
of water, fire and light to go
where never mortal man may know.
So sleep did he for a time and 'ay
until from dreams he passed away
and woke, as 'twere, upon his ship.
He knew the Sea and felt the dip
of wave breath murmuring 'neath his prow,
yet could he not understand how
he came to be on Sea so long
nor did he know his punished wrong.
Of the maid he remembered naught
that maiden fair whom he had sought
to save from death and her distress
no thought bestirred, he cared no less
for maid and sea, monster its kind
as for the maid he'd left behind.
That beaming morn when he'd set out
from his home, he'd turned about
to wave farewell to his own maid
his dearest child, sweet, unafraid
whose faith in him was always set
that her father would return yet.
No matter the length and breadth of time
they knew their love, their love and rhyme
the song he sang as ever more
he watched and waited for a shore
upon the horizon to appear
so he might find his lost one dear.
Just as her father the child did wait
and at the shore when day was late
she sang her answer to his song
and told herself 'twould not be long
until her father's ship would be
sighted out upon the lonely Sea.
But her Sea and his of different kinds
as they were held in different minds
for as her Sea was hopeful and free
his was a prison, and no true Sea.
Knew he not how he might break
the bars of flame the curse did make
nor could he find a one to guide
him to a light, as e'er inside
his lonely cage he pined away
until, at last, one mournful day
silent upon the ship he lay
his face was drawn and beard was gray
no hope remained nor life thereof
for he had lost his only love
too long alone his hope did fade
after the voice of his own maid.
For though she heard each eve his song
hers could not fly o'er leagues so long.
So 'twas one day when grown and fair
she built a ship and did there dare
to sail and find her father lost
the only man she loved. And most
dear was the hope to her of this
his coming home and both their bliss.
Storms of terror she did brave
and gales of ice, the shipman's grave
through sun and dark, rain and snow
she ever on the path did go
which she had set her love to find
his song soared always in her mind.
Each morn she sang and night again
a song of hope, and grief and pain
for longing deep 'tis like a knife
of ice that chills the heart's hope, life.
But she yet sang though such was pain
her love was greater, and hope no bain.
“To home return, to home return
Father, my heart does ever yearn
your face to see and smile to know
and though long sundered my love dost grow
unto an ever-swelling tide
to bear you o'er the waves and ride
all storms and calms back home again
you are my home, so here no pain
or loss, or grief or deep despair
will turn me from my path I bear
to you. I'll find, ne'er leave behind
your promise keep, the Sea so deep
so strong will never hold apart
we two. You're mine and yours my heart.”
[here the manuscript ends]
2 people are talking about this
IT JUST ENDS???????????
ReplyDeleteYOU DIDN'T WARN ME THIS TIME
IT JUST ENDED
POOF BANG DONE
I AM SO INVESTED,AND THEN IT JUST ENDS!!! WHAT HAPPENS??? DOES SHE FIND HER FATHER??? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY DO YOU THIS TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Amazing diction, rhyme, meter, story, everything!!!! BUT WHYYYYYYYYYYY
Like one of those stories where the person leaves to seek their lost loved one and neither ever returns. Maybe she did. Maybe she didn't. No one knows.
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