A mariners regrets

story poem

A mariner’s  regrets

 

The sky is grey and overcast.

Memories surface from the past,

 of other days in warmer climes.

 When I was young in by gone times.

 

The skies of home were never grey

 the tropic sun shone every day.

But that was not enough for me.

 I ran away and went to sea.

 

I travelled east, I travelled west

 a pointless never ending quest.

I saw the world, the seamy side

 but I was still unsatisfied.

 

For what I sought I did not know.

I could not rest compelled to go.

Another trip another port

 another try for what I sought.

 

I’ve been to every continent.

I am no  longer competent

to carry out a seaman’s task.

Infirmities I cannot mask.

 

Have left me high and dry ashore.

No longer able to explore.

The seven seas which tempted me

 to leave my home and go to sea.

 

I sometimes wish that I had stayed

 at home and studied hard.

Regret the error that I made.

Retirement is a poor reward.

 

Especially when the skies are grey

 which happens almost every day.

Here in this coastal English town.

Where I was forced to settle down.

 

Unlike Jamaica my home port.

When I left home without a thought.

Because I saw no prospect there.

Convinced my future lay elsewhere.

 

I sometimes sit beside the shore

 and watch the ships go forth once more.

And wish with all my heart to be

In Kingston Town beside the sea.

 

Jamaica is where I belong.

I made my choice but it was wrong.

This the price I’m forced to pay

Because I chose to run away.

 

Wednesday, 11 August 2010.

http://blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers

Reviews

[Kerry O'Connor]

This reads like a sea shanty - and contains insight into the regrets of a life decision made in youth.

[Phibby Venable]

hindsight & regret are two of the most terrible things
to live with, I think. Very well said and wonderful movement.