My Ship Set Sail This Day

Alas, my love , what heart felt phrase
Could my sad verse express ;
That might well serve to satisfy
This pain I now possess ?

What parting song would set the mood ?
What poet's words ring true ?
What signal of a friendship death
Was missed by me , from you ?

Perhaps it was the spread of time ,
The spectrum strains of life .
It's not enough to charge it to
The duties of a wife .

Yes , friends will always make the time .
A minute , one or two .
To certify their just regard
And care , so it comes through .

The choices of the time we spend ,
Sometimes , a just mistake .
But darling , oh my darling dear ;
These ones for Heaven's sake .

Now let me see , it's laundry time .
My friend , of many years .
Now let me think , the ironing board .
My friend , consumed by fears .

The question that I have for you ,
Was did I cross your mind ?
And if I did , it's oh so sad .
And worse , it's so unkind .

That's why these fated words I write
To one I've loved so true ,
Have forced me to accept the fact
You don't feel as I do .

You may not understand at first
Why I must say good-bye .
It's not as though the love I've felt
Has turned into a lie .

It's just that for the love I give
Expressed by my concern ;
The consequence I do require ,
Is notice in return .

The fact you do not notice me ,
Or so it now appears ;
Means you're prepared to let my ship
Sail on this sea of tears .

I did not set to sail by choice
Upon this solemn sea .
Your note revealed these hidden words ,
'Please go away from me .'

I tried my best these many years ,
Though futile it now seems .
Perhaps , a friendship void of truth ,
Sealed up in phantom dreams .

With that , our friendship dies of age .
Adieu , my phantom friend .
Who knows when friendships go astray ,
Or why they reach their end ?

As it may take a little time
For me to drift away ;
I write this just so you will know ,
My Ship Set Sail This Day .

No tide of tears can bring it back
When such gale winds are blown .
It seeks love harbors yet unseen ,
And friendship lands unknown .

GREENWOLFE 1962