The Albatross

[Francis Don Daniels]

Life maker,
life taker,
towering phoenix on high,
magically over the oceans you cross
with powers no one can deny.

Alone at the bow
I stood there in awe-
bound by your imposing form,
rapt in uncertainty
as to what I saw
and feelings equally torn.

Dreaded serpent from Hades
whom ancient mariners did flee?
Or, Protector of the Seas
and beacon to guide me free?

Or, a child's dream, albatross-
imagination's pilot afar.
You deathfully sank
into the flaming sun
and divinely rose
as the evening star

A heavenly kite in aerial bliss
playfully drawing the sun
as your tail,
when by your pluck
tacked to the wind
to give impetus
to your sail.

Then assumed another form:

The wind became your brush,
the seas and clouds your hues
and painted before my eyes
a rainbow through the skies.

Mage of ethereal being
girded with unflagging wings,
showing me more
than compass,
map or guide
to a universe as free
as the boundless
endless
skies.

Immortal being,
artist and
creator!

The seasons follow
your stay
where the sea
is your dominion
and the skies
ever
your play.

[Kent Davis]

Now that was an amazing sailing ride