Ullswater Steamer Poem by David Taylor

The Sun now departed for new horizons,
leaving a sullen sunless blue behind the
listless moving clouds.
The waters of the lake an inky greyness
stolen from the sky.
And the clouds absorbing back the moisture
from the waters below their gaze,
a portent of near future torrents
to be unleashed from a laden sky.
Between them strong and silent with
such definite outline against the heavens,
sliding unnoticed below the waters of the lake
and stretching beyond the distant shore.
Supporting all the depth of greyness
in rippled lappings from shore to shore.
Until, arriving at my point of observation
supporting me at my very feet,
you join the waters in the sky and lake
and absorb my body into yours.
My mind reaches to the sky
and soars beyond its false thinking bounds.
My heart joins the waters of the lake
with such stillness as a measure of its depth.

To the left in the distance the Ullswater Steamer
silently floats into vision.
Blazing with the lights of a spirited journey,
drifting on by in the greyness.
Unaware of you beneath the deep
holding up all that rest upon you and
all through which it travels
In this shadowy evening of greyness,
a marker of my life.
Setting sail on life’s journey
each from shore of birth to dock of death.
With a bowline meeting bollard to signify
one last breath as it docks.
Is this the last sailing?
With each bow wave perfect in form
without any unneeded splash or curve
to break the calm of the lake,
a perfect course to a waiting berth?

With body rooted in the earth
and mind infinite in its expanse beyond the sky
and tranquil unmoving heart beneath the waters,
you watch the Steamer’s journey
as it sails on by.
You ask to whom are these journeys occurring
and you know that it is by you
that they are seen and heard and heartfelt.
You ask who am I?
And you know that one day
you will be witness to the final sailing
and as that rope is tied the Steamer of
your lives will finally have berthed.
A final rebirth from which no further
sailings need be made.