The Mariner and His Child

by - 3:03 PM

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]





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2 people are talking about this

  1. IT JUST ENDS???????????


    YOU 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      Delete