TOWARD HARBORING at EVENING

When Robert (Bob) Woodall and his wife, Anne, sold us their house in 2000, they left on a wall a framed poem written by Bob. It's being posted on The Beanery Online Literary Journal today, April 20, 2007, in honor of his 77th birthday.

Bob also presented me with a copy of his self-published poetry book, printed in 1978, “Let Mind Give Way to Heart.”   
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOB!!!   Carolyn
 
Is this the time when I must leave
     sure things that I have known
And sail a virgin sea to where
     the winds of fate have blown
Me onward to another shore
      with new horizons bold?
Pray not an empty dream, but by
     His light this vision hold!
 
Oh! Captain of my ship of life
     sail by the eastern star,
That on this dark and storm tossed sea
     I shall not wander far.
Although her helm may twisting test
     my sinews and my mind,
By sextant of a faithful heart,
     I’ll clear, safe channel find.
 
And when by evening’s light I sail
     into the golden bay,
With ensign full atop her mast,
     “Come, Harbor Master, say---“
That I may lower anchor here
     and sing upon this shore,
In faith to find my moorage paid,
     that I need sail no more. 
 
---posted with permission of Robert A. Woodall