Underway

Summer wind swept across the sails
and billows met the urging.
A mighty ship rose on the tide,
from bow to stern asurging.
Crewmen flew from lofty perches
like seabirds to the feeding.
The creaking mast fought the wind
its stiffness not conceding.
Heavy chains were loosed from holding
while salt washed decks were listing.
In the echo of morning mist
plaid pipemen started hissing.
Then underway the ship did make
silent lips through foamy lace.
And pipemen played a seaman’s durge -
haunting strains of ‘mazing grace.