The Ship

The whale ship was one’s home and one’s mother.

She rocked men to sleep at night and jolted them awake for their watch. She was the only fortress against the cruel and boundless sea.

She was the source of one’s torment and loneliness and the vessel of hopes and fortunes.

She was one’s life for the two to three years aboard. (tk) feet long. (tk) feet wide. and shared with 35 other men, and sometimes the captain’s wife.

It was best to keep busy.

Raise the sails.....Furl the sails.....Repair the rigging.....