Posted by Jay Stinson on February 20, 19100 at 10:50:09:
The Shipwright’s Trade
© J.M.Stinson 1999.All Rights Reserved.
“You’re not a very manly man”
said father to his son….
The insult replays endlessly
as he sails the world undone.
Each time returning to homely port
his little wife did meet him thus –
dressed splendidly for all to see
but in her mouth a tongue of dust.
I love the turn of precious woods
a shipwright by my trade
I craft boxes for all sorts of goods
for which I’m justly paid.
Cruel, this joke you play with eyes
that catch the ceiling’s green so nice
yet when nighttime rears its head
they quickly change to cloak of ice.
What demon you to shun me so
what ere be your complaint of me
to show the sun the face I love
and withhold the same so privately?
He sails away as well he must
to make his mom and country proud
all the while with thoughts of her
and taunting jibes he hears aloud:
“You’re not a very manly man”
said wife, like father to his son….
The insult replays endlessly
as he sails the world undone.
What have I done to spurn you so?
Would that you’d at least reply
before the end of me’s at hand
this cruel thing you do so sly.
There in his arms his fairest smiles
no hint of wickedness does she display
for so he finds the love denied
far more beautiful in casket laid.
I love the turn of precious woods
a shipwright by my trade
I craft boxes for all sorts of goods
for which I’m justly paid!