By Tim O'Sullivan Searching on the rocks i stood the waves did crash the shore i hear the ocean calling; beckoning with its lore young boys dreams had all come true as thoughts of days gone by to skipper my own and bark commands like “quick lads tow the line!” i worked the docks for year or two saving day by day a schooner ship was mine to buy called “ena sunshine ray” i left the port in fog and rain, my family back to stay my loving wife calls out to me, “hurry back with no delay” my maiden voyage went as planned, we bagged a whale or two the confidence in my young crews faces tells me they are true a young man went i sailing; across the oceans lay a difficult dangerous life i chose to try and make my way i sailed these seas for many a year, no harm had come to me but she had a temper few would know my time had come you see the lights of catalina faded; oÂ’er horizons line the first mate eyes told the tale he saw the storm behind about the mast we turned the sail and made a course for home the waves grew larger and crashed the bow; we were never so alone i shouted out the first mates name with a wave he was swept away my ship she creaked and crackled and groaned, her mast had given way with knuckles of steel i tried my best to steer her home from hell the rudder had since given its way and shattered among the swell the whole crew stood in gasping fear staring across bow port a thirty-foot wave was bearing down hard; our time was very short i heard my ship buckle and break; she rolled to starboard side i slipped into the oceans dark deep with fear i could not hide i surfaced with a gasping breath and thrashed about the sea a piece of wood i grabbed with strength - to live!” i did decree i fought for life; i fought for limb my mates i could not find i rode the storm until she passed the calm was so sublime i tied my belt around this wood for waters were getting cold in and out of consciousness drift for hours and days untold i tasted tears for crew and friends i knew were left behind i'Â’d given up all thoughts of hope; this fate i knew was mine in shining sun i woke and thought i heard a loud voice say ahoy there lad” the words were spoke, a schooner on the bay! they sailed for port at thirteen knots my crew was lost I knew my wife was waiting with open arms her prayers had all come true i cheated death and beat the ocean a story told by few the cost: the fate of fifteen men the devil paid his due now i stand-alone in rain on breakers looking east the sea she calls my name again i light my pipe and think i turn and walk back to the cottage soil beneath my feet my wife she knows the stories untold; the nightmares in my sleep. a shopkeeper now i sell and trade with no regrets to speak the shattered board that saved my life upon mantle i did keep i painted those words some years ago where hopes and dreams did lay i kiss my wife and eye that wood that spared my life that day the letters are faded and chipped and worn i hear myself do say the words i painted a young man then - "“ena sunshine ray”"   Submitted By: NULL