Siren Memory~by Stephen Fitall

 

 

Siren Memory

See there, no THERE on the horizon look!
See that ship? It is holed and sinking fast
And there; him, he’s a man of these waters
Memories flood in; he’s tied to the mast

Yesterdays take him, never tomorrows
Waves of remembrance with each pitch and toss
Not all his troubles are vessels so moored
Not all his memories anchored to loss

Silently shouting, so loud; you don’t hear
Hauling and hauling, and hauling avast!
Brimming with fullness, barrels of sorrow
Sinking through sinking and laughing at last

Oh! And such waters that dragged him under
Deeper and deeper and into his mind
Memories held by yesterday’s current
Memories, memories. Who do you find?

Happiest in waters ancient yet clear
Drowning in yesterdays, memories near
Bottom is never, the surface hides fear
These things that made him and brought him to here.

See there, no THERE on the horizon look!
See that man? He is old and sinking fast
And there; him, he’s a ship of these waters
Memories flood in; he’s tied to his past