If You’re Not on Board (Villanelle) - Rob Platts

If you’re not on board when my ferry sails,
and the spiteful wind's moaning its tirade,
I’ll wait by the gate till your bright light hails.

Picture me! swimming, with dolphin and whales
and cry only joy at marks that we laid,
If you’re not on board when my ferry sails.

Take heart, be strong, at the drive of those nails.
In good time they'll rust; don't be afraid, as
I’ll wait by the gate till your bright light hails.

Look to our children; put away dark veils.
They’ll step that small coin so your ticket's paid,
If you’re not on board when my ferry sails.

Laughter's in the offing, sheet in your sails.
While stars warm your hand and waves serenade,
I'll wait by the gate till your bright light hails.

Don’t turn your back to a new dawn or blade;
I’ve kept our ship's log and that'll not fade.
If you’re not on board when my ferry sails,
I’ll wait by the gate till your bright light hails.

Rob Platts

Notes:

The poem was written for my friend who’s husband, an old pal and shipmate of mine, was brutally killed at sea in 2009 at the hands of pirates. I've included a few notes for readers who may not be nautically minded.

1. The small coin refers to the ancient practice of shipbuilders putting a silver coin under the main mast to pay the mythical ferry man to ferry the souls of dead sailors to the after life

2. 'The offing' refers to somewhere between where you are and the horizon.

3. 'A new blade' is short for a rudder blade and is a metaphor for a new helmsman ie mate.

Faith, Rocks and Other Rainbows – Rob Platts (with inspiration from Voltaire)

If thoughts were carried on scented winds
and prayers were caught by candle light,
If love was found under seaside rocks
and dreams fell ripe from talking trees,
If faith was kept afloat, gliding,
in a green canoe,
and fish knew
our given names
and how to let us go,
If life was more than a teardrop
clinging, briefly, to a smile
and if wars were fought with lollipops and laughter
and our children never cried,
would we still need those good books
and rainbows in the sky?

Rob Platts

Tree Mooning - Robert Platts

A golden memory from a flotilla holiday with my wife and two young daughters years ago. "Tree mooning" so named after I described said eveing to a friend who enjoys his red wine and who commented -

"Being with family, hic - now that's the tree mooning of life" - Robert.

Tree Mooning - Robert Platts

We left the beach and dusty road
... And scrambled up the rock strewn hill
The moon was full, as were our hearts
And all around was still

Below and far, calm spread the sea,
reflecting heaven silver blue.
Such a scene lent ecstasy
to an already heady brew

That warm night, with family close,
our memories stamped in tune,
and we howled, Oh! my how we howled
at that huge, yellow moon.

Next morning as we woke at peace,
light streaming through our portholes bright,
caught voices from our neighbour's boat;
“Gosh! Did you hear those wolves last night? '

Robert Platts