Unreeven Ties Poem by Howard Long

A tall ship cut the waves
deck upon deck with iron,
the hilly sea a wasteland
no destination desired.

Wand'ring through the valleys,
no candle lit aboard.
The captain silent watching
the hills to valleys fall.
The wheel is unattended,
the rudder drifts about.

But now a ship comes leeward,
a glowing ship of blue.
It wooden hull resplendent,
the masts an earthen hue.
She came along the tall ship,
and tracked along in tow.

The crew lit lamps to see her,
a forest burned on water.
The captain made course portward,
for the mission gave him heart.

Now the tall one wavers,
unsure his mission true.
The ship that heescorted,
to raiders sets its course.

The blue one is defiant,
no words will change her fate.
A ravaging hail of iron,
will end the sorry tale.