One Equal Temper Poem by Keith Shorrocks Johnson

I Ulysses have seen much and I repent.
Always when the storms cease, the horizon
Flattens and the circumference returns.
So must the ship seek still by star and lode
That at least there is some hope of harbour
Come to ground in calm clear waters.

Do not tell me again of mystery islands
Or the sirens seductive in their melody
Or empires to be conquered come the dawn.
Let me simply find a sand shore and footfall
Set down and landed on the ocean's edge
And feel again the particles of broken shells.

I will not be so foolish as to think of home
Or finding hearth and solace in an ancient hall
Or dream of sons to carry name and blazon.
My only thought is that the storms are done
And that the line is drawn so clear and straight
That sets the lesser and the greater blue.