The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.

Vincent Van Gogh, Dutch Post-Impressionism Painter

. . .

Anchored are ships at harbour nigh,

Sailors set sail, flags fluttering high.

Embark do they, on perilous quest.

The voyage, vigour and valour would test.

The waters wave at tourists enroute.

Salutations belie an unfortunate truth.

Tides tire of being smooth sailing,

And revel in the sailor’s wailing.

Oceans aim to drench and drown,

They spare not men, from water-worshiping towns.

They hire gales to storm a ship,

And attack vessels till winded hulls rip.

A sailor you are, the shore is in sight,

Before in water you drown, you drown in fright!

. . .

Granville D. Austin