Prayer For Men A Sea Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

There are those who sail the waters
trusting signs that nature brings
darkened clouds or skittish seabirds
and at night note steadfast stars

There are times a forlorn sailor
finds himself in raging seas
fragile sailboat barely bracing
massive waves and salty sprays

Yet he keeps on sailing onward
barely skirting Neptune's jaws
blinded by the rain and torrents
blistered hands still holding on

When the little wooden churches
on the rocky shores far North
offer prayers to those in hardship
do they think of men at sea?

Is there found a supplication
for those souls compelled to sail
quickening the sailor's heartbeat
echoing like pulsing stars?