THE PACIFIC OCEAN

My life has had three phases, like crossing the seas of three different oceans. I started out young, as most travellers do, on the shores of the tumultuous ‘Atlantic Ocean’, which was my youth and twenties. I crossed this ocean with all its excitement and upheave with many dangers, toils and snares coming my way. Yet I survived it by the skin of my teeth; and found myself embarking on a new voyage, that of crossing the ‘Indian Ocean’ and my thirties and forties. The sea was a bit calmer, but not much, and still the storms and squalls of life tormented me, and rocked my vessel soundly. And now, at last, I stand at the shore of the mighty ‘Pacific Ocean’ which is the last stage of life, and my fifties onwards. I hope that it lives up to its name, and brings tranquil and peaceful waters, and a calm and secure voyage. But no, it is thunderclouds I spy on yon distant horizon to the east, and we shall be in for more stormy weather yet. Hoist the anchor, and set sail once more into the beautiful and unpredictable expanse of clear blue water, bringing hope and salvation to all men, for all time to come.