Shipwright -

To me, the wood’s a puzzle with a fate inside

For those who’ll live and love, who will crow and cry

A song in spar and strake’s released with bladed bite

Each splinter tells a tale

And through my working, so will I

For a boat begins in earth

And she’s married to the water

She’ll live her life in freedom

And by rock or fire she’ll founder

Through her, my hands will know the wind and swell

Through her, my hands might know the fire as well

The sail will stretch above her, reaching for the sun

She’ll strain against her ropes, impatient to be gone

With joy she’ll learn the dances of the proud and strong

Each heart will grow to trust her

And in time will learn her song

For a boat begins in earth

And she’s married to the water

She’ll live her life in freedom

And by rock or fire she’ll founder

Through her, my hands will know the wind and swell

Through her, my hands might know the fire as well

I’ve never left the land, but I serve the sea

A poet knows his Muse in all her majesty

My ships will meet the sunset and fly far and free

And when I’m gone

There’ll come someone

Whose craft remembers me

For a boat begins in earth

And she’s married to the water

She’ll live her life in freedom

And by rock or fire she’ll founder

Through her, my hands will know the wind and swell

Through her, my hands might know the fire as well

Perhaps through her I’ll know the fire as well