Red Sky Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

Red sky seen at night
is a sailor's delight
red sky in the morning
is surely a warning

This saying of old
has oft been retold
by captains
and sailors at sea

The weather is fickle
and often plays havoc
when nothing surrounds
but dark waves

They speak of rogue waves
those freaks that breed fear
for no one can guess
how they form

Look unto the sky
dear sailor when doubt
and roving sends you
to sea

The lowering
smoldering heaven above
will be what it will
in the end

For way beyond sunsets
and glorious dawn
the stars in the distance
still spin

The North Star is sure
the Southern Cross pure
Orion's bright belt
standing guard

When your frail sails tear
and storms snaps your mast
look further
look past all the stars

Turn weathered and salty
and foggy old eyes
to the captain
who made you and me

Though leaky the stern
and soggy the bow
your groggy faint cry
will be heard.