Centuries of sailors knowing

Setting sail and cutting ties

Bravely waving tears unflowing

Beyond an age of longing lies

 

Parted by oceans man and mother

He floating in Poseidon’s care

Only loss brings them together

When at night he’s never there

 

At Thirty Degrees North she sits

Becalmed, bereft, bereaved

She never stirs, moving aches

No message yet received

 

So far from home, steady boys

In league with Neptune’s trust

In family worlds of newborn joys

New life continues as it must

 

From photographs memories made

Fragmented moments, fading

Shining boots, brave salutes

Splendid uniforms parading

 

Return you men, many lives

bound within that imperative

For endless dread are wives

At homecoming alone can live

 

By Patrick Mackeown, September 2006