The Mariner's Wife Poem by T.A. Rosenbaum

Salty spray upon wondering prow
How fast the Dauntless cuts a wake!
For the men that give her life sake
The Captain wonders the distance now
-and looks with longing beyond the bow

Upon the shore the Captain's wife
Long she's waited in the sand
With a garland in her hand
So lonely is the life
-of the Mariner's wife

Now the Captain's heart began to burn
For he'd gone many years
Sailing wide and vast frontiers
And ever for home did he yearn
-but oft those feelings a sailor must spurn

On the horizon the Dauntless now shone
Like wonderful sunrise
Radiant to her eyes
The despair in her heart was now flown
-for her husband was at last home

Soon it was after they embraced
She held him tight
As long as she might
To hide the cares she'd faced
-the lines the years had traced

Time had no bearing on him though
For he loved her still
With all of his will
Always did he his heart bestow
-and ever to her his passion owe

Though his wife did he most adore
Still the dauntless called
And her Captain, thralled
His leaving at once ripped and tore
-and cleaved her heart unto its core

Upon the shore was the Captain's wife
Long she sobbed in the sand
Wither'd garland in her hand
For sad is the life
-of the Mariners wife

No longer his absence would her heart defend
And she could stand no more
Upon that lonely shore
Where nothing her pain could mend
-so in the sea she sought her end

Once upon a time stood an Ensign's wife
Smiling and waiting there in the sand
Purple posey'd garland in her hand
But lost is the life
Of the Mariner's wife