When The Tide Is Low
by Mrs. J. Brown
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Sometime at eve, when the tide is low,
I shall slip my moorings and sail away
with no response to friendly hail
from kindred craft in Busy Bay.
In silent hush of twilight pale,
when night stoops to embrace the day,
and voices call and waters flow,
that time at eve when the tide is low.
I shall slip my moorings and sail away.
when the shadows purple darkly trail
on the even tide of the unknown sea,
I shall fare me away and dip my sail.
The rippled waters tell the tale
of a lonely voyager sailed away
to the Mystic Isles where at anchor lie
the craft of those who have sailed before.
On the unknown sea to the unknown shore
you who have watched me sail away
will miss my craft from Busy Bay,
friendly barques once anchored near.
Those loving souls my heart holds dear
answered silent in sorrowed tear.
Peacefully I've furled my sail
in mooring sheltered from stormy gale,
and greeted friends who sailed before
'cross the unknown sea, to unknown shore.
Given to me by a dear Canadian friend, many years ago, written by her late kin Mrs. J. Brown,
in memory of her dear friend Mervin Uren who died on the 14th day of September, 1929.
This poem speaks deeply to me, what every sailor who goes down to the sea knows,
that we were made for much broader reach…
This is beautiful. The photo is stunning. Thank you, AToday for adding the poetry arts section. I am personally very grateful.
Yes, beautiful.
It captures the haunting quest of the human spirit in a journey too laden with farewells and oft so hungry for a word from that unknown shore…
I really enjoyed this. As someone who has lately longed to simply 'slip away', I understand what it is saying. It has been said that the purpose of life is to learn how to have a 'good death' at the end of it. Some find it morbid – or even heresy – but there is something to be said for living your life in the knowldge it will one day end, and living in such a way that when it does end, it is without regrets, and you are ready to face whatever you believe will come next.
Timo,
The photo included with this "Tide Is Low" is so small, I could not read the font. Not to criticize, but can your staff resize it so we can see better?
While you are seeking writing talent among the college young people, I would like to encourage you to go to even younger, to the high school teens for writing submissions also. It is often at this age, that the spiritual and heart wrenching searches are at their highest and when writing talents are born. My high school English teacher stands out today, as someone who held me to a high standard, recognized my writing and my soul for God, Mr. Mauldin.
God bless you and your staff.
Jan