THE SEA'S GREAT MIGHT

I've stood atop the flying bridge,
As we steamed around the Horn,
I've seen God's might in ocean waves,
Liquid mountains, grim, forlorn.

Men might brag when safe ashore,
How they beat the raging sea,
They can fool the girls, the landsmen too,
But not the likes of me,

A callous speck upon the sea,
As a dust spot on the table,
I've seen the sea sideswipe a ship,
Tear a lifeboat from it's cradle,

Some men claim they're atheists,
But their not fooling me,
They've never stood atop the bridge
On a cold and angry sea.

Ian A. Millar

Inspired by standing watch on a voyage from Punta Arenas to Antarctica