The Way of the Wind

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I asked a sailor the way of the wind;

squinting a glint, the sailor grinned.

 

“The wind has a way of calling home

those of its kind—who tend to roam.

 

“It whispers a wisp on your ears and face,

then freshens to bellow a faraway place—

 

“where pelicans glide and sugar palms sway,

and silver light sparkles in ocean spray;

 

“where rippling wavelets lick at the breeze—

adorning the crests on gathering seas;

 

“where clouds drift softly, slowly by—

aloft, across the rolling sky.

 

“Off and away—the fair wind blows,

to carry a heart the scent of a rose;

 

“to sing in the rigging; to sigh at the moon;

to lull the doldrums or to spin a typhoon.

 

“Light air will beckon the rover within—

when a puff caresses a whiskered chin;

 

“growing to tug at adventure’s lust

that a gale may follow the blast of a gust;

 

“for wind has ways to muster its might—

to lash a whip or to sting a bite;

 

“reminding us our time is dear—

as moments flow so very near.

 

“In telling its story by tempest or breath,

the wind renders glory to life and to death.

 

“So,” said the sailor: “the way for me

is over the mountainous waves—and free.”

 

JPTIII – 9 November 2018

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Published by John P. Turner III

John P. Turner lives in Connecticut, born in Hartford to a newspaper publisher and a visual artist. He enjoys assembling words after learning ‘unto’ as a toddler impressed in him respect for the Golden Rule—and a notion that communication might absolve the misunderstood. With a heart as big as a ship he tells of our voyage. Turner has been a carpenter; designer and builder of houses and boats; ocean-sailing captain; champion oarsman; prep and collegiate rowing coach; grandfather and writer. He lives near the coast with his wife and whomever else may be camping, four amusing cats and some wild acquaintances outside in the barn. One Thousand Sheep—drawn by him by chance—are Turner’s first for consumption (not literal consumption, but literary). A number of works churn now for future release. Rhymes and other bits have appeared in The Hartford Courant, The Newtown Bee, Messing About in Boats, The Country and Abroad, blackflyscullers.org and row2k.com. If a flea or a fly ever needs an ally, Turner’s the perfect guy. A lowly worm or even a germ he’ll surely dignify. This is the case because he’s an ace at applying a useful tool: the practice of feeling how others are dealing—and embracing the Golden Rule. If it’s honest and true and wholesome for you, this is in Turner’s purview. From a firefly dance to a whale in pants, his world stays ever new!

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