Poem - The Sailboat John Ross

One of my all-time favorite jobs was working in a fine jewelry store for twelve years. One day, while on the job, I started writing this poem that I am sharing with you today. Every time I didn’t have anyone to wait on I would write a little more of the poem. My co-workers enjoyed watching the poem come together.

The sailboat can represent anyone you want. I hope you like it. Please let me know.

The Sailboat John Ross

He drifted in from sea one day, the sailboat John Ross.

No one knew from whence he came, no one reported loss.

He floated up and beached himself, with carefree graceful air.

She saw him and he knew he had a reason to be there.

 

He whispered to her through the wind, she learned to love him so.

He said he would return some day, but now he had to go.

He tacked his way back out to sea, into the setting sun.

He would be back, but first there was a race he had to run.

 

She watched him go, and in her heart, she knew where she should be,

Riding on his deck between the heavens and the sea.

The sun came up and set again. John Ross was not in sight.

What was a warm and lovely day became a cold dark night.

 

The winter brought sou’westers, that kept most sailors home.

No matter what the weather brought, he did not cease to roam.

The town’s folk saw her laugh and smile, she looked so good to them.

But, life’s storms tore her heart in two, alone she cried for him.

 

Sometimes in the morning light, she’d find him sitting there

Upon the blue horizon, but her heart would soon despair.

For though he’d sail toward her, he would never quite reach shore.

He’d set the sails into the wind, and go to sea once more.

 

The weight of life distressed her, the sparkle left her eye.

The loneliness she felt for him, made her want to die.

The springtime and the summer came, she saw him not again.

She shed her tears alone at night, and in the summer rain.

 

And when she felt that she could stand the pain of heart no more

The morning sun found the John Ross resting on the shore.

The mainsail beckoned to her and she knew that she must go.

Her life would now be good again, they loved each other so.’

 

Then, with her standing on his deck, he took to sea once more.

They sailed the oceans of the world, not ever touching shore.

And still upon a summer’s eve, if you are out to sea

The John Ross might go calmly by, his sails to the lea.

 

You’ll sense an aura as they pass, of the lasting love they share.

You’ll feel you want to climb aboard, but you cannot go there.

They sail the seas together now, for they were meant to be.

Their love will cover all the world, and last eternally.

 

Janice Austin Bates