The Sea Captain

The ship cut the savage waters,     
washing her with an icy spray,   
A howling wind sloping the mast,   
a dark shroud covering the day.     
     
The swelling sea caused her to roll,     
battering men on the weathered deck.     
They clung to anything they could,     
trimming the sails with a check.     
    
The Captain exited his aft quarters     
observing the work that was required,     
But his thoughts were preoccupied     
by the woman he long desired.     
    
In his hand, he clung to a letter,     
worn and crumbled from his reading.     
Her final words etched in his mind,     
the sorrow was lastly exceeding.     
    
He shut his eyes, facing the sea,     
It was his absolution, his peace     
His hand let go of the message,     
her lasting desertion released.     
    
The minutes turned into hours,     
with the captain nowhere in sight.     
Work had to be put to a stop     
so the men could end this plight.     
    
Finally, they were able to search     
as the fierce storm settled down.     
They made a startling discovery,     
a cold body they circled around.     
    
Where the withered men stood,     
blood seeped through the boards.     
The Captain laid with vacant eyes     
as his life ended around a cord     
    
They broke out in a solemn hymn,     
a somber cry from their throats.     
The vibration from their singing     
carried as white spiraling notes