An Odyssey Poem by Jonathan H. Scott

So long ago, indeed, ‘twas long ago,
Two lovers bound their hearts as lovers will,
And off thus sailed, the farthest points to know
Of purest love; a ship of dreams to fill.

In treasured chests locked deep within their hearts,
Love gently stirred awake as rose the dawn.
The virtue's coy with wisdom she imparts,
And only subtle lessons can be drawn.

Yet, promised they to live in light of truth,
With solemn vow one to the other sworn;
Pledged honor, faith and trust without reproof,
For neither from the other would be torn.

Away they sailed—away off on the sea,
Through waters calm, where gentle breezes blow;
And thinking such that always it would be;
No charts exist—how could they ever know?

And, traveled they alone, bereft of crew;
Their ship of dreams afloat upon the deep.
As evening fell, their course was just as true,
So, on they sailed; their promises would keep.

Through steady night, beneath the boundless sky,
With stars above inlaid in perfect form
Shone bright, indeed, a kiss as lovers sigh,
Such sweet good night: the calm before the storm.

So, on they pressed, long guided in their course
By trusted stars in heaven, as they're fixed.
And, thus, it went with Love's enduring force,
Not here or there, but simply they betwixt.

The days to months, and then the months to years;
When first they sailed, the two clasped hand in hand.
Grew still their love beyond the joy and tears;
As years ago, they lost all sight of land.

With journey's end more distant by the day,
Lost time, against them, brought its share of dread.
When from its course their ship of dreams did stray,
One morning found the sky a vivid red.

Upon the wind, there came a lonesome cry.
A tern in flight tried calling to its mate.
Far from its path, it gave a woeful sigh,
He found her not, and did not know her fate.

Yet on he flew, as on our lovers sailed,
And farther from his course ‘til gone from sight—
Though came stiff winds, blithe spirits still prevailed;
For who can warn doomed lovers of their plight?

So was the day our lovers' fate had turned.
The sun lost heart in driving back the storm.
Behind grey clouds its brilliant face still burned,
But what was love would then and there transform.

The wind was first to bare its teeth in scorn!
Our lovers fought the day with might and main,
And battled long until all sails were shorn;
A worthy fight, but all would be in vain.

The violent wind aroused the mighty sea,
Which beckoned waves of anger from the deep
To pound their souls unto the nth degree,
As faith became impossible to keep.

On came the tireless sea without relief,
With drenching waves, their future to portend—
How could their love survive on disbelief?
Scant minutes more would bring a tragic end.

One single, crashing, crushing, awful wave
Washed overboard our lovers in the night;
He questioned not which one of them to save,
As down she drifted, all but from his sight.

In such dark hours, one finds within his heart
True meaning in Love's virtue, which he claims
Above all else—and, therefore, will not part—
With her he went, and with her still remains.

How measures one the truth of stated love?
No empty words can make a thing that's not.
‘tis from one's soul that stars reflect above
With perfect light and all that Love's begot.