Ghosts Haunt This Ship

That evening the dusk would awaken and stirred darkness all around me
The fog was a cloudy settled steam that brushed against my face
And a shadow's looming veil I know I've walked through lingers
I heard their voices board and eyes that saw the gray of storm unsheathe
The realm of sea mist settled and fell gently on the deceptive waves
While waters underneath caress the ship's underside like spidery fingers
Slowly the dull worn decks seem strangely white
Rails disappear for the gaze of unknown plight
A voice of welcome may feel dark while being light

The shrouds of mist within fill the skies, and the skies they become
Escaped from a solid side to a haze softer than that of steam
And when the feeling of fear arises, silence settles the waves
Where we've sailed immortality is fate and to it we have all succumb
A shadow of ship's outline and eyes you think you see in a dream
Misguiding illusions have been so strange, footfall on the staves
I'm just another soul, and a single hand I cannot grip
From memory a cup of pleasing warmth and of it to sip
Among the unawares not knowing ghosts haunt this ship

An ocean's island wooden terrain and the night drifts in silent corridors
Scrolls have mapped the points of travel through depths unclear
Echoes bounce off of a heavy door as I stray on its other side
I heard a crew shouting back to a ship nearby coming across open doors
Slightly opened skies and bridge door ajar invited the captain to steer
Someone sounds an alarm of warning and dread, I feel I must hide
I once saw a mammoth shark swim close by
I saw the strange colors of a long ago sky
Once a spirit abundant with happiness and life

Sailors walk into cabins where once there were other lights and laughter
But the sun of tides and ocean is different now and it speaks
There is a gloom that will cloud the hall and settle on the decks
Rolling waves below the stern beat against the hull with measure hereafter
Uneven courses to the bow as the storm stirs up this part of the seas
With mingled curiosity another crew appears and brings back the vortex
They speak of the captain who sent them aboard to turn about
To lead this ship back to living lands was bidden to allow
We are here and have been, though, you know not how

Drifting beneath a blanket into sleep my soul is lifted like the air
But my heart is heavy as oceans many leagues deep
I had wandered onto the vessel seeking passage to home
Hours are not known to me anymore and comes on with despair
Like deep shadows in abandoned harbor the waves did sweep
Cold floors and long halls sailors free of rigid duties roam
They seem to know but go about as usual in their way
But sometimes I hear a distant call beyond this day-to-day
Wondering if my name was called in fear ere they pray

I want to sail these waters for memory and into an endless fog I slip
Against these colors nothing is as it seems
A tale speaking of sailing and legends of me
If any among many know the truth, ghosts haunt this ship
Forever the routes of time go, it's the signal in dreams
Forever to them is time, but it's the empty mirror I see
A fate too dark to read, the waves crashing, and desperately plead
And the sorrow that they were obligated to board and follow lead
But no return with ship in tow failing to be more brave against greed

So let the darkness cloud the sky, without age, without hours or warning
No counting of days, only whispers from the waves
The silent, ominous ship steals away without questioning why
Stillness hovers as if already too late, as echoes drift of mourning
But let it slip away, pass with the day o'er watery graves
Mortal silk and beads I once wore, sadly certain fate comes by
Maybe though I seem distant, I'm near when signals sound
Carried by the winds from a height to night many fathoms down
That wise words heeded would speak to make haste for ground
Where gathers mists of sea, the ghosts stir quietly, frightfully, one is me



©Iggy 1989/1990
Reworked 2017
The Saga of the Derelict Ship & The Ghosts