THE GULL
(Stuart M Frank)
A gull that soared above the wave and hovered in the clouds
Landed on the foremast peak and settled in the shrouds,
And kindred spirits, he and I, we sailed that balmy day
The one to rest from flight in air and I upon my way.
cho: And can you sing a song, my friend? And can you trim a sail?
Or spin a yarn on the deck at night? And hoist a glass of ale?
What mystery of earth or wind or sky or sunlit sea
Has brought this spirit to my ship and here to rest with me?
This canvas, this hemp, this hand-hewn oak, this schooner of my hands,
It steers my fate amid stars and brine, outside of reason stands.
Of all the ocean followers who ever plowed the wave,
Of all the men who breathed salt air, refused to be land's slave,
Of all the ones who hoisted sail for pleasure or for pay,
There's not a one as free as he, yet rest with me he may.
That we in life must seek anew and travel far and wide,
For some, the quest is on the wave, the salt wind, and the tide.
It's no surprise to you or me, a futile search at best:
We see the gull as graceful, free, yet here he sits to rest.
Another spirit sails with me. For him I tell this tale.
I almost see him standing here to help to trim the sail.
I like to think he's smiling now to see me at the wheel,
This graceful ship, his epitaph in canvas, oak, and steel.
Sung by William Pint and Felicia Dale on their album "Change of Fortune."
© 1979 Stuart M Frank
@sea @animal @bird
filename[ THEGULL
JD
Feb07
mudcat.org
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