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Poem by Tor Pinney Back to List of Tor's Tales

LANDLUBBER'S LAMENT

A small boy hears the ocean roar,

"There're secrets on my distant shore!"

"Come sail away," the ship's bells chime.

But quickly come and go the years

And he's a young man, now, who hears

The sea call, "Come! While there's still time!"

Instead, his precious days are sold

For trinkets, houses, cars, and gold,

And business thrives in middle-age.

"I'll go," he swears with all his might,

"As soon as things are all just right,"

Then turns back to his gilded cage.

Oh, Time you thief, you cheat, you liar!

Promising men's heart's desire

Soon, but not now. Wait. Not yet.

An old man weeps upon a beach

For seas and secrets never reached.

He cries, "I have but one regret,"

"That long before my health was failing

I didn't go to sea a-sailing!

Oh, if I had only listened....."

Ship's bells chime a lonely last note,

"You could have had a worthy sailboat

And with champagne she'd have been christened!"

~ End ~