[Poem] Passage Through Night

A villanelle written as a companion piece to my essay The Soul of the Sea

The North Sea at night

Alone, I seek a path to pass through night.
Long lost to fear, with no clear course to steer,
I beseech the Soul of the Sea for light.

Steep waves and tides my elemental plight –
The rush of wind and spray is all I hear;
Alone, I seek a path to pass through night.

Lone gulls’ shrill cries at night set fear aflight,
Shape spectres out of shadows far and near,
I beseech the Soul of the Sea for light.

I sail through vicious maelstroms’ rumbling might,
And pass beneath the ancient mountains’ sphere;
Alone, I seek a path to pass through night.

Deep mystery lochs hold secrets out of sight,
But magic of the western isles grows clear;
I beseech the Soul of the Sea for light.

Though in my soul the dark yet holds me tight,
Through time at sea its light has eased my fear.
Alone, I seek a path to pass through night;
I beseech the Soul of the Sea for light.