By the same moon, by the same shore
I cast my line when young and poor
Heavens about me, darkness obscuring
A vast world before me, still unknowing
The perilous reefs and ‘take to the boats
Boys, heave like the Devil, pull for the shore’.
Now high tide, now low tide
With a small boy beside me
Casting his line, hopeful and trusting
How shall I guide him, so far
Have I come - - reel out the line
Boy, back to my innocence
Quietness between us, only our breathing
Wave upon wave lacing the shore.
Sea never ending, hope never ending
‘Get lost old crab on the end of the line!’
Boy in the lantern light, who shall guide him
World without end?