a ship from afar

A Ship from Afar.

I stand on the sandy beach with the waves breaking all around me along the coastline. The ocean stretches out on all sides of the distant horizon. It encompasses the entire view in front of me. There is a continual hush of breaking waves in my ears, as the sea rolls on.

To the east a ship is coming into view on the skyline. It is small as it travels slowly on the water. At first it seems to be merely a speck, then it gets a bit larger to the eye, but not much. But now one can discern it as a freight ship, with the bridge and funnels standing out to be seen. It remains small to my view from the beach as it sails past slowly.

The ship challenges the waves of the sea with skill, and cuts through the water smoothly with her bow. She travels on with care and speed over rough sea, and maintains a true course. Yet, to my eye she sails but slowly past on the horizon. Now she is in the middle of my view, and ploughs on stubbornly through the waves. She is oblivious of my attention, having only one purpose in mind; to reach her next port.

After a long time of standing and watching the ship, she has sailed right across my view, and starts to disappear on the western horizon. She sails on, and I remain standing alone on the windy beach. The waves crash about me to bid her farewell, and a sea-gull gives a lonely cry above…