A Farewell.

Having stayed for a while, ships put out to sea;
Afterward they return even through heavy storms.
My beloved, don’t thou cry, nothing will happen to me —
In about six months, I’ll as ever return.
My beloved, don’t thou cry, nothing will happen to me —
In about six months, I’ll as ever return.

But won’t ever return those gotten my full trust —
They were thy, O Sea, true and honorable sailors.
At some times, I get dreams of what was in the past,
And I’m sailing again with my very old fellows.
At some times, I get dreams of what was in the past,
And I’m sailing again with my very old fellows.

Yet I want to believe there will come such a time,
When the burning of ships isn’t life’s necessary patt’rn.
I’ll for certain return, there’s no reason for thy cry,
It’s much better to smile at thy single-hearted capt’n.
I’ll for certain return, there’s no reason for thy cry,
It’s much better to smile at thy single-hearted capt’n.

1966.