The Long Year

The Long Year

Like a shipwrecked sailor, I am tossed
Wave after wave, across and aloft,
Salt-spray fills my mouth and blinded eyes,
The Sea roars, deafening drowns my cries;

Storm-tossed and sickened, with no relief,
Each wicked wave wastes my true belief,
I long for the peace of rest and sleep,
To let go, to sink beneath the deep;

No sun's rays shine upon me,
No bird's sweet calls to urge me,
No land to rest the weary,
I feel my heart sink deeply;

O! This Ocean, ever-wide and strong,
Merciless swept me this whole year long;
I cannot escape its mighty grasp,
I cannot believe a year has passed;

In this great Ocean of despair and pain,
So battered and slashed with icy rain,
I'm fevered and foiled with every wave,
Yet no rope, no raft, has come my way;

No sun's rays shine upon me,
No bird's sweet calls to urge me,
No land to rest the weary,
I feel my heart sink deeply;

Hammer-pounds the Sea, beating my head,
Salt-crust bleeds, hallucinations red,
I will not let go, nor will I yield,
Despite the power this Sea does wield ~

For the New Year dawns in clouded sky,
Far away echoes an Angel's sigh,
A breath of hope wafts over my face,
I will to fight on to a better place;

No sun's rays shine upon me,
No bird's sweet calls to urge me;
No land to rest the weary;
My hope aloft will raise me.

© Alys
26 December 2004