The Lightness of Being

Royal Clipper Ann Fisher

To fly over the ocean on a winged ship . . .

It is an old feeling. A deep feeling. In it we are connected, even to the ancient Phoenicians daring to explore the Mediterranean. We feel that first voyage into the unknown — the sea surrounding us.

Climbing over the prow of the moving ship into the damp rope of the bowsprit net,
I rock there, rising and falling as the bow cuts through the waves, see the sun fall behind low clouds with one great flash, as she disappears until morning.

The Lightness of Being

I am all the ships that ever went to sea and

The joy of an updraft under a petrel’s wing.

I am as a swell that lifts a ship leaving harbor.

I am the quiet under the hand of my beloved,

The sweetness of my daughter nestled in the crook of my arm.

I am all of these things.

I am none of these things.

In the peace of the setting sun,

I will slip the lines tying me here.

As the captain takes me out for the last time,

I am deeply content in this journey to a new world.

 

Sun sets on the Royal Clipper in St. Lucia.
Sun sets on the Royal Clipper in St. Lucia. Photograph by Ann Fisher.

The Royal Clipper is part of the Star Clipper line — ships all inspired by the age of the great clipper ships. A full review of my trip aboard the Royal Clipper is available here.

The music for each time of setting sail . . .

Vangelis, 1492.

 

*** The title for my poem is inspired by the book The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera.


 

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Ann Fisher

Ann Fisher

Writer, traveler, and cancer fighter. Get out there and live life!

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4 thoughts on “The Lightness of Being

  1. dray0308 December 8, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often and commented:
    This is Ann Cavitt Fisher!!

    Reply
  2. Jim Boyd February 15, 2016 at 8:15 pm

    Great inspiration for all sailors. Well done Ann!

    Reply
    1. Ann February 15, 2016 at 9:03 pm

      Jim, thank you so much. My time on the Royal Clipper was so special — brought up many feelings for me.

      Ann

      Reply
  3. Onboard the Royal Clipper | Ann Cavitt Fisher February 12, 2016 at 3:32 pm

    […] A poem and other thoughts inspired by my time on the Royal Clipper are here: The Lightness of Being. […]

    Reply

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