Into the Deep

Into the Deep

We want it, we want it, that’s what we said

Listening to his stories, as he readied us for bed

The stories he told us, the knowledge he had

The deep experience as a voyager, the deep love as a Dad

We gazed up with wonder, listened with awe

How could we become like him, he seemed without flaw

He spoke with such passion, loved with such depth

It seemed he knew everything, was there anything left?

As he told us his stories, we’d always seem to laugh

They were filled with surprises, and told with such craft

Some of them were short, some of them were long

But all had in common, choosing right over wrong

And as we grew older, we still longed to be

Like our old man, strong, wise, and free

But how could we do it? That’s what we said

So we too could tell stories, and live in his stead

He looked with compassion, as we longed for this wish

It wouldn’t be easy, and our presence he’d miss

We’d have to go out, into the world

Live the ups and the down, and all that it hurled

His love and his depth, came with a price

It took courage and honor and much sacrifice

Many a journey, braving the seas

Seasoned beyond measure, but not with much ease

The stories he told, the man he’d become

Came after many a day, under the sun

He’d toiled and worked, never wasting a day

With his eye on becoming, keeping nature at bay

He’d traveled the world, manning his ship

Sailing the high seas, none were more fit

Each voyage he went on, gave him his light

It was garnered with diligence, obedience, and very much fight

So with his example, we ventured to see

If we could be like him- what we would be

The only way to do so, was to take to our ship

Take to the high seas, and give it a rip

So as a young boy, with love and with hope

We started our journey, and took to our boat

We got to the seashore, the horizon we gazed

What would it bring us? Our hearts were ablaze

It went on forever, so very vast

It was a little bit scary, sent chills down our back

What was all out there? What would it hold?

We tried to recall, the stories he’d told

It already seemed hazy, though it hadn’t been long

Our minds were entranced, would we choose right from wrong?

Once we were there, we weren’t quite so sure

But our journey began, we’d have to endure

And as we embarked, and land slipped away

We looked up above and started to pray

Give me strength, give me power, to traverse these here seas

Help me become the man, You’ve made me to be

We all set out, low man on the pole

Swabbing the deck and manning the hull

Day after day, breaking our back

All of our effort, we’d never go slack

The first few months, we learned to work and to be

Under the watch of another, obedient yet free

The sun singed our necks, and bleached out our hair

We got our legs under us, and began to prepare

The voyage we chose, was dangerous and long

Each man had his part, each man had to be strong

There were days that were boring, they’d lull to sleep

But others were frightening, the learning was steep

Storms howled, mates would bicker

Enemies approached, turning many to liquor

Crisis would come and crisis would go

All were averted, each man at his post

Working through hardship took courage and strength

Each man relied on the other, keeping his rank

There were times that were frightening, taking real guts

Others were exhausting, working our buts

In times that were frightening, and tiresome and testing

Is where the true man began manifesting

There were some that would shrink, not even put up a fight

Others would hide, choosing to slink out of sight

Still others would numb, sinking back in their skull

And others would lie, selling out their poor souls

All had in common, choosing wrong over right

Choosing to go toward the darkness, rejecting the light

Losing their name, and all that came with it

When asked to choose honor, they decided to skip it

Now as I look back, I wonder how I survived

Times my soul hungered, and my heart only cried

So lonely, so lonely, I thought I’d be sick

Clouds gathered with blackness, the darkness so thick

Times I would ask, how could I possibly do more?

I’ve been pushed to my limit, every part of me’s sore

I’d toiled all day, and fought the good fight

Then duty would call, into the night

Sometimes I would ask, how can this be?

Were we sailing the right direction? Ocean is all that I see

The captain had said, “this is the way”

Land was all that I wanted, and I continued to pray

Patience was wearing, as I continued to toil

The hot son was grueling, was I starting to spoil?

As my attitude wavered, I’d try to pick up my chin

But the desires I’d hope for were starting to thin

There were days that were calm, the winds blowing steady

And days that were choppy, and days that were sweaty

Days that were stormy, and days that were long

All melded together, as time soldiered on

There were days that the ocean was especially rough

It tested your metal, it tested your stuff

Fear cried out inside you, your duty to shirk

It took Faith, it took Courage, and a whole lot of work

Those times, they were tough, but not the hardest I think

What was the most stretching, and made my soul shriek

Was the uncertain journey, the launching into the deep

Not knowing the end, is not for the weak

We had a constant bearing, stars leading the way

And in that direction our bow always did stay

We worked and we labored to keep our path straight

But none of us knew, what was to come of our fate

We were headed for land, but what would it be?

It wasn’t in sight, at least I hadn’t seen

I hoped it was land, and I hoped it would be right

But I had know idea, and it wasn’t in sight

I tried to imagine what it would be like

But would we even make it? What if lightning did strike?

I had visions and ideas of what I hoped it'd be

But all I’d been told, is that it’d be right for me

This very idea, drove a man crazy

Many gave up, and became very lazy

After such mental exertion, they lost all their focus

Trading direction and hope for darkness and coldness

Though they lost very much, it did dull the pain

Feeling can be hard, and numbness they gained

After fighting so long, and land not in sight

Why work to keep direction, is there even a difference between the wrong and the right?

We’d work all day, manning our posts

Eye on the horizon, scanning for coasts

And as each day ended, light fading away

Each would have to decide if the course they would stay

Another disappointment, it wasn’t today

“it can’t be much farther,” kept discouragement at bay

But no one was sure, it’d been years now you see

The only life I could remember, was being at sea

And as darkness of night, would settle upon us

Stars would appear, and shed their light on us

We’d look to the heavens, to lead us the way

Keep on our bearing, faith choosing to stay

Day after day, year after year

We just kept on sailing, learning to stave off our fear

And as we kept going, one couldn’t help but ask why?

Why keep this hear bearing? Why do I try?

It was mostly a feeling, a duty to self

A very distant memory, we’d asked this of our self

Every so often, these feelings came to mind

Our hearts would then soften, and our purpose we’d find

And in these fleeting moments, our eyes began to see

The purpose of our journey, had already come to be

We’d become a dang good sailor, strength in the shoulders and in the back

We’d learned to bear a burden, and under pressure not to crack

There was something in our nature, deep within our bones

We knew we were becoming, through the grief and through the groans

Maybe this here journey, prepared us for the land

Those who set our bearings, knew what we would have to stand

Calming the storms and the lightning, is not what we would need the most

Keeping ourselves steady, is what we'd need at the coast

Once we do get there, there’ll still be ups and downs

But we’ll be ever grateful, for the ship that taught us to stay within the bounds

The long tiresome nights of wondering, and grappling thoughts to quit

Are the very things that taught us, the mastery of our ship

The grueling days of labor, not knowing what would be the prize

Is truly what gives man strength, and makes a sailor wise

We must learn to keep our eyes above, learn to read the stars

And never get too focused, on the land that is to be ours

If we’re always watching, trying to find our shore

We’re sure to get knocked off course, and lose what’s to be at our core

The purpose is becoming, not to obtain a fleeting wish

And if we keep our eyes above, becoming becomes our bliss

There will always be great struggles, becoming takes great strain

But as we keep our eyes above, the pain becomes our gain

I am still hear sailing, looking for my shore

But I’ve found when I keep my eyes above, sailing is not quite such a chore

I think back to my father, the man I want to be

I’m grateful that he sent me, his ship entrusted me

I may still have a long way, or just a little left to go

But the resolve I have to keep the course is focused on the road

I’ve learned not to worry, about the distance of the land

But to keep my eye focused on the guidance of his hand

My eyes well up in gratitude, he’s made my path this long

The length of the journey, is what has made me strong

I have seen his hand in my life, but only through my faith

It’s how I’ve come to know him, and will one day see his face

He started me on this journey, it’s always been his plan

To cut and hone and polish me, to make a better man

It is in his image, I've always hoped to become

When I focus on the stars above, I realize I’m his son

It doesn’t make it easy, there’s still stuff that really stings

But trusting in a God above, gives all the hurt meaning

And when I reach a point, I need to choose faith or fear

I know that sailing in the deep, is where he would have me steer.

-CDG