A Sailors Warning Poem by Mark Boyle

We set out bright and early,
the sun rose across the waves.
We watched the land fade away.
It was a beautiful summer's day.
By noon we'd filled our quoter.
Our ship laden with fish.
We were to turn about and
head t'ward land.
It was an answer to our wish,
We'd sail back into to harbor,
see our friends cheer, as we came.
Our vessel filled with fat plump fish.
We'd be hero's of the day.
But it caught us broad sided,
A rogue wave that none had seen.
I think our pride was what it was,
That scuttled our ship and all our dreams.
I guess I'm lucky to be here at all,
telling this tail of the troubled sea.
But I stand alone here at the bar,
Not a ship mate to be seen.
You see I was the only one,
that seen that Albatross aloft.
That big white bird encircled our mast,
Sealing our fate at a deadly cost.
Some call it superstition,
Some say it's just a tale.
But I stand here to say different,
Or the sea will have it's way.