Ocean, Speak To Me Once More Poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

Ocean, speak to me once more

He was an early riser on a ship bound for Japan,
The ocean was calm as a pond he waited for
Glorious sunrise.
The splendour of the moment colouring the sea, red.
He could feel the vibration of the ship
Ploughing forward and the engine was music
for his mind.
No one around yet, this was his moment of happiness
There had been so many sunrises in many oceans
It was secretly stored in his heart.
When ashore he felt an alien, drank too much
And saw contempt in others eyes.
As an old man and they asked him how it was
To be a sailor, he had nothing to say that would interest
Those who expected tales of dance and lose women.