In Harbour

by Cod

In Harbour

From calm seas and restless winds
I stay hidden
in harbour

My mast kept, my sails away
moored to my berth
by starboard

My bow dips for no one
my stern at ease and rest

No storm will sink me
no fate will befall me

No trips, no voyage,
to North or South or East or West

*

The people come from miles away
to admire my finest finishing’s.
My resin floor, my elegant lines
exhuming wayward looks from all.

What I wonder do they think,
when they gaze from deck to distance?
What lies beyond that horizon
but troubled waters and seas?

**

They come and go, generations now
that come and admire my steadfast bow
With children’s laughter my timbers age
With old men’s whispers my colours fade

And then when wood is rot
when keys forgot
when sails are furled
and only dust remains
will I wonder with some disdain?

..That ships are elegant and ships are true
Especially over the waters on which they flew
Through rain or shine, in wind and wet
Plowing forward to whatever fates they met

Bravely going to whatever lay in store,
that ships are safe in harbour
but is not what ships were made for?