"The Last Underway"

The Last Underway*

 by Alvie E. Robbins, YN3, USN

The duty day has long since been secured
They’re about to get underway, “Sailor, Pass the word!”
Watches all set, ship’s work is now done
It is now time for our shipmate’s final run

Our Supreme Commander has piped our shipmate safely aboard
To assume heaven’s duty, to receive his eternal reward
To sail free from the storms and tempests of life
To know peace and freedom from this present strife

Single up all lines, cast off, shift colors, all ahead 1/3
Soon the Eternal Patrol is underway, with nary a word
Now at sea, his vessel agilely answers her helm
Now to her course, plunging onward, to another realm

Yes, our Shipmate is underway now out of sight
For him it is fair winds in bright of daylight

No more doldrums the sailor's fright

No more fear of unseen danger at night

 For the shipmates who remain here behind,

May we keep loyalty to the Skip ever in mind

Trust in the Commander—He is there where we cannot see
Standing by for shipmates, for friends, and for family

So keep straight on and answer the Captain’s commands every day
For we too will be piped aboard, earth’s work done, we’ll soon be under way
Moorings slipped, colors shifted, on the Eternal Patrol we too will sail
Just over the horizon where winds are fair and there’s ne’er a gale

So sailor, continue ship’s work until the Lord says, “Get underway!”
Keep strong to task, keep your course straight and true
No matter the seas, the Commander will get you through
Then will come the day and just over the horizon, we’ll be there too!

“Fair winds and following seas, Shipmate!”

(c) All rights reserved

*Note:  The poem is not intended to reflect sound Christian doctrine.

From Fr Tryphon's posting

"A ship sails, and I stand watching, til she fades on the horizon, and someone at my side says, "She is gone." Gone where?

Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large as when I saw her.....
The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me, not her, and just at the moment when someone at my side says "She is gone", there are others who are watching her coming, and other voices take up the glad shout "Here she comes.....!"
And that is dying. "

Full article available at https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Merciful-Saviour-Orthodox-Christian-Monastery/104578182913886