The Captain

The captain looks out at the sea and thinks of his wife,
Distant memories of lost youth and lust,
Scarred by nautical miles and hardened, sun chapped skin.

The captain resigns to his cabin for the night,
But his heart remains at the helm,
Always watching,
Always vigilant.

The captain dreams of dry earth,
And warm baths,
And a life of consistency,
Of resigning his heart to the will of another,
Another who waits,
Who waits a waiting that will soon end,
And when the waiting is over,
They will be young again,
The years reversed,
The skin repaired.

The captain knows his dreams are futile,
That mermaids are his only lovers,
And returns to his post with everlasting regret,
Solemn, but dedicated,
Knowing in the bed of his being,
That his soul is no longer his,
But that of the sea.