The Helmsman...

[CharlieCobra]

O'er the rolling swells and through stinging spray, he stares at sights only in his mind. Nimbly shifting with the rolling deck as the seas swirl and pluck at his tiny craft, unbidden or noticed besides the deft movements of the helm without pause or thought.

The screaming in the wires or roaring of a quartering sea not heard as the voice of one so fair and far away, whispers, not quite understood. Hours drag by as endlessly as the storm that thrashes waves to their frenzy, without meaning or merit.

Glazed eyes, wet from salt or something else roam over the sea ahead unseeing. Dread chill seeps to the core, matching the heart within. No safe port seeking or haven wanted by this man alone against the cold black heart of the sea.

Other thoughts cloud his mind. Other storms for which he has no skills to face or conquer. No home has he, no hearth, no hope. Only the sea in all of it's glory and horror. For here he knows there is no solice or mercy. For here he is home.

 

[kloudie1]

Nice, Charlie.. Did ya write that or is it an accurate discription of the guy who's gonna be driving the 50 on the way north ??
That trip sounds like it is gonna be an adventure..

 

[CharlieCobra]

Yeah, I wrote it. Enya got me...

 

[Ed Schenck]

We have seen your work so we know you have found your calling. But if this is original then maybe your retirement is very secure. Loved it.

 

[CharlieCobra]

It is. Retirement? Wazzat?

 

[Ed Schenck]

My definition of retirement is when your paycheck is cut by 75% or more and comes from the government. Since January 2004 I have spent about six months doing what I had planned to do. Reminds me of "You want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans!"

 

[zeehag]

charlie--words are beautiful!!!
smooth sailing on your adventure-- when do you leave to pick up the 50?
smooth sailing!

 

[CharlieCobra]

Thanks once again. Hopefully this evening.

 

[zeehag]

wow so soon.....your heart is pitter-pattering from the unknown factor in the adventure!!!!
please post many many many pix!!!!!!

 

[Fly_H23]

Makes we want to sell it all and cast my cares to the wind and waves!

 

[Bill Roosa]

Blood upon the halyard

On a slightly less bright note:


He was a rooky helmsman and he surly shook with pride
He checked his compass often and made sure is course was right
He had to stand and listen to the offal wind and waves and
He ain't gona sail no more

Is everybody happy said the Captain looking out
Our hero feebly answered yes and then the big wave hit
He was swept into the icy deep his safety line un-hooked and
He ain't gona sail no more

The lifelines wrapped around his neck, and stanchions cracked his dome
Shrouds and halyards were tied in knots around his scrawny bones
The bimini became his shroud he sank quickly to his fate and
He ain't gona sail no more

The days he lived and loved and laughed kept running through his mind
He thought about the lass back home the one he left behind
He thought about the coast guard guys and wondered what they’d find and
He ain't gona sail no more

The cutters they were on the spot, other boats where coming fast
the helicopters hovered high and tried to miss the mast
For it had been a week or more since last a ship had sunk and
He ain't gona sail no more

She hit the rocks the sound was crack, the hull was split in two
His comrades they were heard to say "avoid lee shores for sure"
His PDF was then torn off as he struggled to the shore and
He ain't gona sail no more

There was blood upon the halyard, there where brains upon the scoop
Intestines was a dangling from his torn up sailor suit
He was a mess they picked him up and poured him from his boots and
He ain’t gona sail no more